How To Get The Physiological And Psychological Benefits Of Nature If You Don’t Live Near Nature | Dacher Keltner

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Nov 22, 2024

Dacher Keltner, a UC Berkeley psychology professor and emotion science expert, shares insights on accessing nature's benefits in urban settings. He emphasizes the importance of engaging our senses through sounds and sights, even in city life. Urban trees and birdsong can uplift our mood and combat depression. Keltner also discusses how taking pictures of our surroundings can boost focus and mindfulness. Lastly, he highlights the power of imagination in connecting with nature, offering a pathway to enhanced well-being.

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ADVICE

Urban Nature Immersion

Open your senses to nature in cities, even in small ways.
Listen to birdsong, water sounds, or enjoy the fragrance of flowers.

INSIGHT

Street Tree Benefits

Street trees offer psychological benefits and improve urban environments.
Studies show they reduce depression and anxiety, and even crime rates.

ADVICE

Nature Sounds

Play recordings of natural sounds like birdsong or water to experience calming effects.
These sounds activate the vagus nerve, promoting relaxation and focus.

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Practical tips for accessing the healthcare of nature no matter where you live.

It’s very possible that you've heard the long list of physiological and psychological benefits that one can derive from getting out into nature. Those benefits include improved mood, boosted immune system, lowered blood pressure and more. That being said, 80 percent of Americans live in urban areas. So today, we're going to talk to an expert about how to derive the many benefits of nature, no matter where you are.

Dr. Keltner is one of the world’s foremost emotion scientists. He is a professor of psychology at UC Berkeley and the director of the Greater Good Science Center. He has over 200 scientific publications and six books, including Born to Be Good, The Compassionate Instinct, The Power Paradox, and Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. He has written for many popular outlets, from The New York Times to Slate, and has consulted extensively for Google, Apple, and Pinterest, on issues related to emotion and well-being. He also hosts the podcast The Science of Happiness.

In this episode we talk about:

The importance of opening our senses to nature
The power of birdsong
The science of street trees and their impact on depression
How taking pictures of our local environment can enhance focus and productivity
And lastly, how we can harness the power of our imagination

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