News: Nature and Hiking Inspires Creativity

Need another excuse to get those hiking boots on and get outdoors?

A team of scientists have found that there is up to a 50% increase in creativity and problem solving, just from getting outside and hiking.  Their full report is available on PLOS One.

It probably is not news for those of us who enjoy the outdoors, but for the millions of people nowadays who spend their time in offices, cities and homes and never get out and get to enjoy a hike in the natural world, this really could be a big change for them.  I think we all know how our creativity and critical thinking decline the longer we are cooped up inside, so this is a call to get your butt outside and enjoy nature.  Not only for the enjoyment and physical health, but now for mental health too!

What is your favorite way to refresh your mind when heading outdoors?  Let us know here in the comments section or on Facebook.

We have some favorite hikes that never fail to get our minds cleared out and our blood pumping.  I do not think there has been a time that I have come back from one of these trips not feeling refreshed and in a new place.

Study and Story Links:

• Creativity in the Wild: Improving Creative Reasoning through Immersion in Natural Settings
  
• Study: Nature inspires more creative minds
  
• Getting back to nature inspires creativity, new study shows
• Nature Resets Body's Clock