Tip of the Day - Look Out the Window
Posted on July 11, 2008 by
Wow, apparently in grade school when I spent my time looking out the window and daydreaming, I was on to something.
Scientific American says that according to a study by the University of Washington looking out the window provides more stress relieve that watching nature shows on television.
“Some students worked in an office with a view of the university’s tree-filled grounds. While others watched a live camera feed of the exact same view on a plasma screen TV. Both groups stole glances a similar number of times, but window-gazing students looked longer and were quicker to lower their stressed out heart rates. In a time of obesity and nature deficit disorders, the researchers say, it’s important to remember that your TV may be a window on the world, but it’s no substitute for the real deal.“
So if you need a mental break, it may make more sense to take a few minutes to look out the window or walk outside than to turn on the television. The added bonus — no electricity required.
I work in an office inside a warehouse, and all our walls are cinderblocks, no windows to speak of. If I flip out one day, you’ll know why.
the windows are all behind me — and they’re all facing a parking garage. our recording studio - on the other hand - has an amazing view of pier 39 and alcatraz. niiiice place for a nap
Kir - your view sounds much more interesting than mine
Noelle — if I’m questioned post flip out, I’ll be sure to tell them it was the lack of windows.
After many years of a windowless existence, I finally have an office with a window. When we were redoing my office furniture, I made sure I was oriented so I could look out the window while working at my workstation. It definately does give me a mental break to see what’s going on outside. Now that we’re in the monsoon season, I can see the storms rolling in.
I’m reading “Last Child in the Woods - Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder” and it’s got some amazing statistics on the calming effects of nature on humans.
Kinda sad that we need to be reminded of it though. Or worse yet, that we should need to conduct laboratory studies on it, eh?
The school I went to in fifth grade only had windows near the ceiling so we couldn’t see out them and get distracted. It was also seven stories tall. I’m glad I only spent half the year there.
[...] moods. For some reason, I just haven’t been able to get it together. Recently, I read that looking out the window lowers stress. Unfortunately for me, my back faces the window for eight hours a day. I do try to look out it when [...]