New Studies Suggest Hiking In Countryside Boosts Creativity

New studies suggests that getting away from the stresses and strains of urban living can unclutter the brain and boost creativity. Scientists found that young volunteers managed to increase their creative performance by a whooping 50% after a four day hiking trip. It's not necessarily ground breaking news, but it underlines how getting outdoors can improve our mental well-being, often by quite large proportions. We know that things like outdoor exercise boosts the bodies endorphins, giving you that 'feel good' factor.

Participants of the new study took part in four to six day wilderness backpacking trips in Alaska, Colorado, Maine and Washington State in the US. No electronic devices of any kind were allowed on the trip, enabling the participants to really use their brains, instead of relying on endless variations of gadgets and gizmo's. One group of volunteers were given a standard test for creative thinking before they set off on their hike, the other group had the same test after hiking for four days. The average test score for volunteers taking the test before heading into the wilderness was 4.14 out of 10. Those tested four days into their hike scored an average of 6.08. The findings show their increased scores might not be specifically down to being surrounded by nature but instead by freeing the brain from constant distractions that we are bombarded with in the urban, working environment on a day to day basis.

"Our modern society is filled with sudden events (sirens, horns, ringing phones, alarms, television etc) that hijack attention," the researches wrote. "By contrast, natural environments are associated with gentle, soft fascination, allowing the executive attentional system to replenish."

It's all the more reason to take a break and step out into the great outdoors, even if you can't be whisked away to the Peaks or Lakes, a simple walk in the countryside or run round your local park could work wonders, as this article in The Guardian illustrates.