How Nature Heals Us

In this episode of Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam interviews psychologist Marc Berman about the science behind nature's positive effects on our minds. Berman discusses historical examples, such as Jackson Pollock's move to Long Island and the Naval Health Research Center's surf therapy program for veterans, to illustrate nature's restorative power. He explains theories like the biophilia hypothesis and attention restoration theory, highlighting how natural environments, with their curved edges and fractals, promote relaxation and cognitive restoration. Berman also shares personal anecdotes and research findings, including a study showing that even unpleasant walks in nature can improve cognitive function. The conversation explores practical ways to incorporate nature into our lives, even indoors, and addresses the issue of unequal access to green spaces, advocating for environmental justice.