Visiting Zurich

Zurich, the capital of Switzerland, is so much more than the home of luxury watches, international banking, political neutrality, and amazing snow-covered mountains with adorable chalets. It is truly an outdoor wonderland right in the heart of a beautiful city that transitions from old Europe to a modern metropolis with just a swift train ride across town.

Biophilia

Biophilia is the affinity humans have toward nature. It rings true: people are drawn to riverbanks and seashores; mountain hikes and grassy picnics; fields of flowers; ponds of goldfish; a waterfall, a desert sunset. It is innate for people to choose life over sterility- the picture window instead of plaster and paneling. For almost all of human history, the narrative of life (community, jobs, celebrations, playtime, hunting, gathering, etc) has taken place in close contact with the outdoors. So genetically, we are still drawn to those spaces.

Studies have shown that being in nature has physical and mental health benefits.

Those who have exposure to natural elements, whether exercising, walking, or just viewing nature, have increased happiness and well-being. They have better memory and cognitive flexibility; they experience attention restoration and stress reduction. Nature seems to usher in a clarity of mind, a sense of awe, and promote a sense of belonging to the universe. Spending time outside alleviates symptoms of anxiety and depression by lowering the heart rate and decreasing cortisol in the body. Access to green spaces and sunlight also helps regulate sleep/wake cycles. Studies have also shown that certain bacteria found in the dirt may relieve some mental health issues, acting as an antidepressant. Turns out: getting dirty isn't all bad!

For more insight into the mental health benefits of nature, check out Episode 3 of Zen and the Art of Jetlag. Click below to listen now.

Reference: Gregory N. Bratman et al., Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective.Sci. Adv.5,eaax0903(2019).DOI:10.1126/sciadv.aax0903