Fresh Start Monday #78: The nature pyramid

When I spent three years traveling abroad, I was fortunate enough to spend weeks at a time in nature. The times I was alone or with friends, far from any town without cellphone service, remain some of my most cherished memories.

At the same time, they were periods of calm, clear thinking, and creativity.

In my normal life I find myself missing these simpler times, but also acknowledging that I don't want to disrupt my life in a significant way again. I have this story that, in order to truly get away, it needs to be at least a week. (Preferably a month, but whatever)

How do you create separation from the daily bustle of life? How much time do you need away?

I'm reading The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter, and one of the chapters is about how society spends less and less time outside. Did you know American kids play outside 50 percent less than their parents did?

Humans evolved in nature, programming a need to connect with the outdoors. In competition with that, we have a desire for survival that wants to control our environment at all times.

There are hundreds of studies that share the positive effects of spending time outdoors, but the book introduced what some scientists call "the nature pyramid"” Think of it like the food pyramid.

How much time outdoors is enough to lower stress, prevent burnout, increase productivity, and be more creative?

Important note: Study after study shows that you don't get any of the benefits of nature if you take your phone with you.

Bottom of the pyramid

The book refers to this as urban nature. The outdoors found in cities, towns, and near work.

The ideal quick dose is 20 minutes, three times a week. It doesn't need to be on a trail or up a mountain. This can be walking through a park or sitting in a garden.

Other studies have shown improvements in health by having plants in your office, a view of nature out your window, and passing by more greenery on your commute to work.

The base of this pyramid is fitting in nature on a daily basis in whatever way you can.

Middle layer of the pyramid

The book refers to this as country nature. It's wilder than a city park or your backyard but generally accessible by a short car ride. Weekend trips.

Research suggests we need about five hours a month in this wilder setting. When people spent more time in wilder environments, they reported lower depression, higher levels of happiness, and feeling more relaxed.

Think a hike or two, a fishing trip, canoe trip, or a mountain bike ride.

Pinnacle of pyramid

This is called "the three-day effect" and acts as a sort of hard reset. The book refers to this as backcountry nature. Places that may have no cellphone service, no bathrooms, and no other humans.

In a 2012 study, half the students took a creativity test before they set off on a three backpacking trip. The other half were tested only after returning. The students tested after saw a 50 percent improvement in their scores.

On the first day, stress and health markers improve but we are still adjusting to discomfort and anxious about what we left behind. On day two, our minds are settling down, and our awareness of the present moment is increasing. On day three, we feel much more connected to nature and calm.

Anecdotally, this is what I've felt when participating in silent meditation retreats. It takes about three days for your body/mind to adjust and reach another level of consciousness.

Three days is a long weekend. Anyone can fit that into their life.

Just remember, leave the phone at home or on airplane mode.

Local to Boulder, CO?

On Fenruary 29th, I’ll be hosting Pages to Progress a monthly workshop held on the last Thursday of every month that delivers key insights from bestselling non-fiction books and helps you apply them to your life.

For February, the book is The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.

You can register through Meetup. February 29th at 6:30 pm MT at NowHaus. $25

Join us Tuesday (2/27) on Meetup for a free biweekly journaling group located at the Tonic Alchemy Lounge!

Thoughtful Tuesdays - Biweekly Journaling Group

Tuesday, February 27th at 6pm MT.

Books

Currently reading: 

Finished reading:

Ready to dive deeper?

Coaching is a highly personalized and thought-provoking partnership devoted to understanding why you are the way you are, uncovering your unique vision, and bridging the gap between who you are today and your best self.

Part of its power lies in its co-creation. Book a free 30-minute chemistry call to see if we’re a good fit:

NewsletterKamil SkwarekComment