Miller-McCune is reporting today on a Personality and Social Psychology study indicating that a connection to nature not only has stress-reducing and healing qualities, but that it also makes us kinder people. Green spaces promote selflessness, empathy, and peaceful coexistence. How do Big Think experts weigh in?
Zen Master Den Genpo Merzel, Roshi found enlightenment on a mountain in California’s Mojave Desert near Jawbone Canyon. Alan Weisman, author of the The World Without Us, also connects nature to spirituality, explaining how it gave him a reverence for life. Majora Carter told Big Think about the importance of green areas to urban spaces, and chronicled the human costs of environmental degradation.
So nature’s power is not disputed by Big Thinkers—but are there solutions for those of us stuck in an office cubicle? According to an Environment and Behavior study, all it takes is an image of a natural scene to ease stress significantly. So listen to photographer Sebastian Copeland’s advice on shooting landscapes, get a good photo, and become kinder naturally.
Discuss
Matt Pidlysny on August 19, 2009, 2:43 AM
Kindness comes naturally through the way we do things. We become dark, we’re opened up to a positive force (What goes up must come down, etc.), and from there we can literally “Pass the torch”. It’s like I find out that you don’t have a basketball. I have a basketball. I see your lack and I give. You could possibly have “accidentally misplaced” it to get a free ball; Nevertheless, it still happened naturally.
ed hardy on August 19, 2009, 3:21 AM
nature’s power is not disputed by Big Thinkers—but are there solutions for those of us stuck in an office cubicle
ed hardy
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Vicki Nikolaidis on August 19, 2009, 6:13 AM
Office cubicles are the definition of unnatural, aren’t they?
If you have a place in nature as a retreat when you need time alone to consider and think – maybe that would be the perfect place to take a photograph. Poster size or small frame desk size this could offer you a bit of a retreat whenever you gaze at it. Or you could purchase a gorgeous nature poster or photo that makes you feel good when you look at it.
In my family we have water fountains to be a wonderful help in office situations. My fountain is about a foot high with two cherubs pouring water from a pitcher, another person has a mini-sculptor of Athena pouring water from an urn. There are so many different styles available perhaps you could find one to suit you.
Hearing the flow of water through the fountain helps me relax and remember to breathe properly. One of my friends doesn’t have a fountain in her office because she says, "The sound makes me want to go to the toilet all the time. So water fountains aren’t for everyone!
If possible taking fresh flowers to work every day and keeping them in a vase on your desk can help.
Hope these ideas help! :)
tim hall on August 19, 2009, 4:47 PM
I think we are talking about an emotional release for an emotional stress of being confined. For me, any pictures or fountains will not help. Hard work to quickly pass time and get out of the situation has always been my remedy. Turn eight hours into two minutes. If I don’t have enough work I make work. I don’t even know where I am at while I am at work.
If I could take my mind off my work long enough to dream about being in nature, i would choose an impressionist painting or print over a photo. The photo is only a 2D representation of what was seen through the lens. An impressionist pulls the viewer in and creates more emotion than the lens saw. But it helps to understand impressionism and allow yourself to go inside of the painting instead of just looking at it.
If your in a tall building, sometimes you can get to a top floor and get some relief out a hall or stairwell window. Just turn the city scene into good. People moving about like ants working on a greater mission as a whole. How many tones of gray are there, looking out over the city? Can you count them? Which ones are the most beuatiful? Try to feel the movement of city traffic below as a swarm intent on a mission. Just simply turn objects positive or use your imagination. Let go! Be free to roam!
ed hardy on August 28, 2009, 3:54 AM
thanks, the article is very good~~
by ed hardy
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