Everybody has an internal sense of how they are feeling – hungry, anxious, tired, happy, cold, need the toilet. It’s called interoception, our 8th sense. People experience and process their feelings of interoception in different ways, and sometimes we may be challenged or confused by these feelings. That’s entirely normal. However, this sense can be particularly challenging for neurodivergent people, who may be over or under sensitive to how some of these body signals feel, or experience completely different connections when interpreting meanings behind some signals. This is usually due to challenges with interoception awareness.
Trixie Harrison, a PhD researcher at the Open University, is investigating the way in which neurodivergent people experience their interoception whilst in nature and how this might help them to better manage their emotional and physical wellbeing. She is doing this through using the biophilia hypothesis and the Japanese art of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing).
Forest Bathing has nothing to do with water or washing – it’s about soaking up the atmosphere of the forest. And if you’re not near a forest, any outdoor green space will do. It’s about connecting with nature, slowing down and engaging in mindful activities that increase body awareness. This can mean different things to different people, but you are aiming to get out of your routine thinking-mode through activities such as relaxed breathing or other movements and noticing the sights, sounds, smells and other sensations that you can detect around and within you. Not to think about them, just to explore your present experience with openness and curiosity.
Trixie has picked out three particular features that contribute to the benefits of Forest Bathing: fractals, phytoncides and the experience of awe. Let’s explore each of these in more detail.
Fractals
Fractals are patterns that repeat themselves at progressively smaller scales. They are common in nature and can be found in the branching and curling of a fern, the arrangement of scales in a pinecone, the dividing of branches, roots and leaf veins, the coil of a snail shell. You don’t have to look far to find one. They are also common within us, in the structure of our veins, neurons and lungs.
Fractals are extremely efficient structures and research has shown that we instinctively seek them out when we look at the world around us. Seeing fractals promotes a calm, alpha wave brain-state, which reduces the experience of stress, depression and pain whilst promoting wellbeing and learning. These are the same benefits we get from meditation and can enhance our health, cognitive function and body awareness.
Find out more about Fractals:
The Fractal Foundation Website
Richard Taylor’s research on fractals
Phytoncides
Phytoncides (fy-ton-sides) are biologically active chemicals that plants produce for defence against pests and pathogens in response to attack. They are also one of the ways that plants communicate with each other, sending messages to their kin and neighbours so they can prepare for danger or share resources. There are many thousands of these chemical, a few of which can be detected by humans as the fresh scents of nature. But even if you can’t smell them, they are doing you good.
More of these chemicals are produced during hot weather and, as they are soluble in water, they are more abundant in humid air, including after rain. Taking a deep, woodland breath after rain can bring substantial health benefits.
Humans evolved in the natural world, steeped in these chemicals, and they have a powerful positive effect on our mood and immune system. Breathing in phytoncides has been found to boost the natural killer (NK) cells of our immune system significantly – and this effect can go on long after we return home. Just one day spent in woodland can boost our NK count by 40% for a week, whilst 2-3 days could boost them by 50% for up to a month! NK cells are a key part of neutralising cancer cells and well as other pathogens, so time spent in nature – such as forest bathing – can be an enjoyable and effective part of your health care.
Find out more about Phytoncides:
Effects of Forest Bathing Trips on Human Immune Function:
Awe
Awe is a universal human emotion, producing a state of reverential respect in response to perceptually vast stimuli that transcend current frames of reference. Research suggests two components: a sense of vastness and a need to readjust our world view to accommodate this experience. This response can induce a diminished sense of self, and promote pro-social behaviour, social integration and an increased sense of meaning in life.
This complex change of perspective helps us absorb large amounts of information about the phenomenon being experienced, process it and adjust how we think about the world. We step out of the confines of our daily experience, becoming more receptive to new things and deeper meaning.
A profound experience, awe brings with it both physical and mental benefits, including increased immunity and cardiovascular health, reduced anxiety, stress and depression and a boost in overall wellbeing. Though sometimes tinged with fear or overwhelm, awe has been shown to promote positive emotions such as compassion, gratitude, love and optimism.
Awe can be triggered by nature, art, music and religious or spiritual experience. And it’s not just a matter of scale, a big building is unlikely to have this effect on us, but a big tree does.
Find out more about Awe:
Awe as a Pathway to Mental and Physical Health
The proximal experience of awe
I was delighted to work with Trixie on visualising these three concepts to support engaging and accessible communication of her ongoing research. You can find out more about Trixie and her work at https://www.linkedin.com/in/trixie-h-ab3488200/
Inklusive Nature CIC 