How does nature nurture creativity?

We wondered about the effect of nature on creativity. We got to thinking about this because, this weekend, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is having Art in the Garden. We attended last year, saw art in many forms, listened to good music and enjoyed some food. There were different activities to please almost everyone. We also found some unique and creative gifts. We’ll definitely be attending again. It’s fun to be immersed in all that creativity and be in nature, too. We are always working to become more creative ourselves and also to help others be more creative. We learned that nature can be most helpful to stimulating creativity.

In our modern busy world today, we can get caught up in technology and ignore the nature around us. Some researchers feel this can be damaging to the brain, especially for children. It’s also a problem for everyone if the brain doesn’t have time to be free from distractions. Our brain needs to take a rest to be able to focus when needed.

Creativity and focused, clear thinking can be stimulated by nature in several ways. It’s important to get outside when you can. There were studies done with students revealing that after four days hiking in nature, the students did 50% better on tests of problem-solving and creativity. That’s quite a jump up in scores – but also quite an effort! Fortunately, other studies show that some positive effects can happen in as little as fifteen minutes outside and you don’t have to be hiking! Just a walk in nature can lift depression and raise mood, which increases creativity.

Also, being in nature helps people to get inspired because stress is lowered. Often people report a feeling of slowing down and feelings of “awe” at the beauty around them. Nature also helps people overcome creative blocks because they gain feelings of energy, well-being and a “restored” brain that works better.

We certainly feel the positive effects of nature when we come to the Arboretum with all the beauty there. We feel refreshed, renewed and, hopefully, we are also more creative.

We met Barbara Dugan and her son Matthew Dugan who were spending some time together at the Arboretum. Matthew will soon be leaving to study to become a priest. We asked them about how nature stimulates creativity. Barbara shared. “I think for me, it connects me with my past, as my mother was a great gardener. I’m a writer so it reminds me of my childhood. I write children’s books. It fills my soul because it gives glory to God when I’m out here. So for me, it’s an experience. I always come away feeling like I am more and I have more to give after I’m here. My soul is quieted because we live in a very noisy world. I think for creativity, one needs to step back from the noise a little bit and hear the quiet and all the beautiful sounds that you can hear out here.”

In sharing how nature affects his creativity, Matthew said, “It helps me to think of the opposite of creativity. When I think of the opposite of creativity, I think of a dullness and a stagnation and kind of a sameness – which is not what you see, especially here at the Arboretum. You see so much distinction, so many different types of flowers and trees and shrubs. God gave us a very beautiful world of variety. I think variety is what can spur your soul to be more creative in whatever endeavor. A person who doesn’t see that variety, may not be aware of the different opportunities he can pursue and the different options he has. So that’s the way I look at it.”

We enjoyed hearing the very thoughtful ideas that Barbara and Matthew shared about how nature stimulates creativity. How about you? Do you want to be more creative?

Here’s a challenge: To be more creative, actually schedule spending some time in nature. If longer times are not possible, even just fifteen minutes in nature can help creativity. Doing so can allow your brain to feel renewed, free of distractions and have time for ideas to spontaneously pop in. Writers and other artists find that when they practice giving their brains a break, they are more creative and prolific in producing their artistic works. Maya Angelou said, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” We encourage you to use your creativity to make the world a better and more beautiful place.

Chanhassen residents, Doug and Lynn Nodland are success coaches and owners of The Balance Center. Doug and Lynn can be contacted at WeCare@SharingLifesLessons.com. More information and videos at http://SharingLifesLessons.com .

Chanhassen residents Doug and Lynn Nodland are Success Coaches and owners of The Balance Center. They can be contacted at WeCare@SharingLifesLessons.com

© Doug and Lynn Nodland 2018 Articles and videos may be shared in their entirety with attribution.