Creative work requires a consistent supply of new inputs.
We usually think of those as articles, newsletters, podcasts, etc.
But what about our environmental inputs?
Here's how following the 20-5-3 rule of time outdoors boosts your creative output 🧵
via @Michael_Easter
We usually think of those as articles, newsletters, podcasts, etc.
But what about our environmental inputs?
Here's how following the 20-5-3 rule of time outdoors boosts your creative output 🧵
via @Michael_Easter
Why Time In Nature Matters
In nature, our brains enter a mode called “soft fascination”
SF is a mindfulness-like state that restores & builds the resources to think, create, process info & execute tasks.
Ie. everything we need to do creative work.
But there's a catch.
In nature, our brains enter a mode called “soft fascination”
SF is a mindfulness-like state that restores & builds the resources to think, create, process info & execute tasks.
Ie. everything we need to do creative work.
But there's a catch.
In nature, our brains enter "soft fascination" mode naturally.
But studies have shown that as soon as we pull out our phones, all of the benefits of time spent in nature disappear.
So how to we build these benefits into our lives & capitalize on them?
Enter the 20-5-3 rule.
But studies have shown that as soon as we pull out our phones, all of the benefits of time spent in nature disappear.
So how to we build these benefits into our lives & capitalize on them?
Enter the 20-5-3 rule.
1. 20 Minutes, 3x/Week
Walking or sitting in a park for 20 min, 3x/week is the dose of nature that has the greatest effect on reducing an urban dweller’s levels of cortisol.
This weekly dose is fine but to increase the benefit, it's necessary to venture further afield.
Walking or sitting in a park for 20 min, 3x/week is the dose of nature that has the greatest effect on reducing an urban dweller’s levels of cortisol.
This weekly dose is fine but to increase the benefit, it's necessary to venture further afield.
2. 5 Hours/Month - Get Wild
Each month, it's important to spend a minimum of 5 hours in wild or semi-wild spaces, like a forested state park.
The wilder the space, the greater the benefit we receive re: restoration & creative stimulation.
Part of the reason?
Fractals.
Each month, it's important to spend a minimum of 5 hours in wild or semi-wild spaces, like a forested state park.
The wilder the space, the greater the benefit we receive re: restoration & creative stimulation.
Part of the reason?
Fractals.
Fractals are complex patterns that repeat over and over in different sizes and scales and make up the design of the universe.
Apparently, our brains dig them. And in nature, we're engulfed in them.
Think: trees, river systems, mountain ranges, clouds, seashells, etc.
Apparently, our brains dig them. And in nature, we're engulfed in them.
Think: trees, river systems, mountain ranges, clouds, seashells, etc.
Fractals are organized chaos, which is often lacking in our built environment.
This is one of the reasons nature is so creatively stimulating.
It gets us out of our typical environment of familiar patterns & helps us think differently & make new connections.
This is one of the reasons nature is so creatively stimulating.
It gets us out of our typical environment of familiar patterns & helps us think differently & make new connections.
3 Days/Year - Off The Grid
Each year, we should be aiming to spend a minimum of 3 days completely off the grid.
A good qualifier this type of environment is wild animals & spotty cell reception.
This experience has a similar effect to an extended meditation retreat.
Each year, we should be aiming to spend a minimum of 3 days completely off the grid.
A good qualifier this type of environment is wild animals & spotty cell reception.
This experience has a similar effect to an extended meditation retreat.
Time in wilderness causes your brain to ride alpha waves, the same as when meditating or during a flow state.
They reset your thinking, boost creativity, tame burnout, and just make you feel better.
They reset your thinking, boost creativity, tame burnout, and just make you feel better.
One study found that three days in the wild boosts creativity and problem-solving abilities.
Another of US military vets found that a 4-day rafting trip reduced PTSD symptoms by 21-29%.
Their relationships, happiness & general satisfaction also improved.
Another of US military vets found that a 4-day rafting trip reduced PTSD symptoms by 21-29%.
Their relationships, happiness & general satisfaction also improved.
That's all, friends!
If you found this useful, please consider helping out by:
1. Retweeting the 1st tweet above
2. Following me @iamjeremyenns
If you found this useful, please consider helping out by:
1. Retweeting the 1st tweet above
2. Following me @iamjeremyenns
TL;DR
1. Time in nature is one of the key inputs to better, more creative ideas
2. Aim to follow the 20-5-3 rule for best results
3. 20 min in a park 3x/wk
4. 5 hr/mo in a semi-wild space
5. 3 days/year completely off-grid
6. Device usage negates all the benefits we receive
1. Time in nature is one of the key inputs to better, more creative ideas
2. Aim to follow the 20-5-3 rule for best results
3. 20 min in a park 3x/wk
4. 5 hr/mo in a semi-wild space
5. 3 days/year completely off-grid
6. Device usage negates all the benefits we receive
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