Nature walks can lower activity in the brain's worry center
Spending time in natural environments physically alters the brain by reducing neural activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex, the specific region associated with repetitive negative thoughts and clinical depression.
A ninety minute walk through a natural setting significantly reduces rumination, the persistent cycle of negative self-thought. Stanford University researchers found that participants who walked in nature showed decreased blood flow to the subgenual prefrontal cortex compared to those walking in high-traffic urban areas.
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