For the first time in human history, most of the world’s population live in urban areas. A “normal” life for most of us nowadays includes waiting in traffic, unwelcome noises, pollution, attention grabbing advertising, and extended time sitting indoors staring at bright screens. Even during our down-time, many of us avoid the outdoors due to fears about safety or simply because we are too wrapped up in using our technology for entertainment. We assume that in such living conditions we should be able to maintain positive mental health yet much of our day-to-day life is inconsistent with the kind of environments that humans have evolved to adapt to.

Most of us could identify the ideal natural habitat for a chimpanzee. Unsurprisingly, these animals show severe psychiatric disturbances that resemble human mental illnesses when held in captivity. It is, however, more difficult to identify the ideal environment for humans. Although we may consider ourselves to be flexible and endurable, we are not infinitely adaptable, nor are we machines that will function reliably regardless of our environment.

A Natural Preference for the Environment

An evolutionary theory called Habitat Selection Theory can help us to identify the kinds of environments that humans are attracted to. For example, we know that people tend to prefer environments with large open plains of grass sparsely populated with trees that branch near the ground.  Such a landscape provides long uninterrupted views and allows a person to remain easily oriented even when there are changes in heights. We also know from research that adults often prefer the environments they have grown up in childhood. Some also argue that people prefer environments where they can look out into the distance while being hidden or not overly exposed.

In summary, a large amount of research suggests that we tend to prefer environments that resemble our childhood habitats, and we are more easily attached to natural environments than to urban settings. It has also been demonstrated that people can only focus their attention for a certain amount of time before they become mentally fatigued, and natural environments are ideal for restoring diminished attentional resources. The emotional responses generated by natural environments are often immediate and are strongly linked to reduced stress. For example, studies have shown that the ability to look upon a natural environment can even enhance recovery after a surgery.

Make the Most of Natural Environments

Most of us are unable to simply change our habitat since the benefits of urban living often outweigh the costs of the environment, including employment, social connections, access to healthcare, schooling, and entertainment. Nevertheless, there are activities that one can engage with to counteract the stressors related to living in a big city. Although the demands of life and the lack of free time might mean these recommendations seem like a chore, keep in mind that if you are better able to focus and more relaxed, you may be more productive and available to those around you.

Practical Things to Do:

• Exercise in natural environments, including urban parks.
• Make effective use of break times to visit, view, or simply visualize natural environments.
• Use your days off from work to visit natural environments with friends and family.
• Seek natural light, inside and outside of buildings, while taking sensible sun protection.
• Include plants, images of attractive landscapes, and other objects that allow for micro-restorative experiences and positive distractions when spending extended periods of time in enclosed spaces.
• Encourage children to play and exercise in natural spaces. Check this website for useful suggestions.