Last week we looked at how to get glimpses of nature indoors. However there is not substitute for actually getting outdoors. Research has found that time in nature and walking in nature can reduce the chance of depression, reduce the chance of high blood pressure, improve mood, improve attention, and relax at night. So why not get out into nature and reap the benefits.

Views of nature can be so good for your health and wellbeing. By blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, incorporating micro-glimpses of nature by maximising existing views and including nature in the workplace and using pictures of nature, we can make the best use of these positive health effects.

Coulthard outlines research which has correlated views of nature with improved recovery in hospital, better performance at school, and less aggression. She proposes that even short bursts of nature like looking through a window or at a picture of nature seems to relax people, increase concentration, reduce stress, and decrease blood pressure.

We have only recently surrounded ourselves in dense urban areas and our minds are still drawn toward the natural environment from which we came. We like natural scenes but especially prefer pictures of the savanna. Over the next weeks we will look at how views affect us and how to bring them into our homes.

We spoke earlier about the daily body rhythm but did know our body temperature also changes throughout the day? When we wake up our body temperature slowly rises and peaks around 4-6pm. It then gets cooler and cooler before bedtime and continues cooling as we sleep. Accordingly, our environmental surrounds affect us. Learn more about how here.