The effects of nature on the human mind (and soul) are explained in detail here by a young researcher who has made some phenomenal progress in a new field.
The book is full of dramatic results – absolutely elements of nature benefit our mental health. The data presented here is clear and decisive, and even if it wasn’t, what are the downsides of spending more time outside immersed in natural surroundings?
Most interesting to me was the description of effects of just a little nature added to people’s life. Total immersion isn’t necessary to get benefits, even fake plants, VR (and video games?) can confer some benefits. The writer provides the right level of detail on the studies that he and other researchers have conducted, with footnotes to go research more if you want more details.
The writer also dutifully explains the ideas of cause/effect and what we should and should not read out of these results and potential effects. I sometimes disliked the way he presented these ideas by using his own personal story to frame things – does this mean that he is completely impartial when setting up these studies? Maybe he is just staying away from dry scientific rigor to make a more effective point. I felt like the tone sometimes approached evangelistic.
But overall a very informative book that I enjoyed reading – and now I have to try to get more nature into my lifestyle!
Next I am re-reading Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr.
