Screen Time and Sensory Anaesthesia
What a Day in Nature Can Do for You
In our digitally dominated world, screens are an ever-present part of our daily lives. We are constantly bombarded with digital stimuli from smartphones to laptops, televisions to tablets. While these devices offer convenience and connectivity, excessive screen time has led to a phenomenon known as sensory anesthesia. This condition numbs our sensory experiences and disconnects us from the rich, multifaceted world around us. But there is hope. A day spent in nature can rejuvenate our senses and restore balance to our lives.
Understanding Sensory Anesthesia
Sensory anesthesia is the dulling or numbing of our sensory perceptions due to prolonged exposure to artificial stimuli. This state can result in:
Reduced Sensitivity: Constant exposure to screens can diminish our ability to appreciate subtle sensory experiences. The vibrant colours of a sunset, the intricate patterns of leaves, or the gentle rustling of wind in the trees can lose their impact (Hartig et al., 2014).
Decreased Attention Span: Digital devices often demand rapid shifts in focus, training our brains to process information in short bursts. This shifting can impair our concentration on more extended, nuanced experiences (Carr, 2010).
Emotional Numbing: Overstimulation from screens can lead to emotional fatigue, making it harder to connect with our feelings and the feelings of others (Rosen, 2012).
The Healing Power of Nature
Nature offers a remedy for sensory anesthesia. Spending time in natural environments can:
Reawaken the Senses
Visual Stimulation: Nature is a feast for the eyes. The colours, shapes, and patterns in natural settings are more varied and harmonious than those on screens. Observing these can help restore our ability to appreciate visual beauty (Kahn, Severson, & Ruckert, 2009).
Auditory Relaxation: The sounds of nature, from birdsong to flowing water, have a calming effect on our minds. These sounds can reduce stress and improve our ability to focus on natural auditory stimuli (Ratcliffe, Gatersleben, & Sowden, 2013).
Tactile Engagement: Touching natural elements, such as the bark of a tree, the texture of leaves, or the cool water of a stream, can reawaken our sense of touch, which is often neglected in a digital world (Hartig et al., 2014).
Enhance Mental Health
Reduced Stress: Studies have shown that spending time in nature can significantly reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone. Nature provides a sense of peace and tranquillity that is difficult to find in urban environments (Bratman, Hamilton, & Daily, 2012).
Improved Mood: Exposure to natural light and fresh air can boost serotonin levels, improving mood and overall wellbeing. Nature walks are often recommended as a natural treatment for depression and anxiety (Berman, Jonides, & Kaplan, 2008).
Increased Mindfulness: Nature encourages us to slow down and be present. Mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing and mindful walking, are naturally facilitated by a day in the great outdoors (Williams & Harvey, 2001).
Boost Physical Health
Exercise and Mobility: Nature invites physical activity, whether hiking, biking, running or simply walking. These activities improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and enhance overall physical fitness (Thompson Coon et al., 2011).
Vitamin D: Sunlight exposure helps our bodies produce Vitamin D, essential for bone health, immune function, and mood regulation (Holick, 2004).
How to Reconnect with Nature
To counteract sensory anesthesia and reap the benefits of nature, consider incorporating these activities into your routine:
Daily Walks: Aim for at least 30 minutes of walking in a natural setting each day. Parks, trails, and beaches are excellent places to start.
Attend the MANA Nature Days: The next one is on 17th August and looks at Nature and Permaculture.
Weekend Getaways: Book for the MANA weekend by yourself or with your partner to learn about nature and experience it. Even a short weekend can have substantial benefits. This day will focus on gardening, creating a wild ‘Ark’ and mindful walking or sitting in nature. Or book in for a night or the weekend at Krowera in the granny flat and help out on the property.
Mindful Observation: Learn and practice mindfulness by observing the details around you during your nature walks. Learn to walk with a wide-open lens of mindfulness and pay attention to the colours, sounds, and textures.
Gardening: Cultivate a garden at home. Gardening connects you with nature and provides a sense of accomplishment and relaxation.
Digital Detox: Designate specific times for a digital detox. Use this time to immerse yourself in nature without the distraction of screens.
Conclusion
In a world where screens dominate our attention, it’s essential to remember the healing power of nature. By reducing sensory anesthesia and reconnecting with the natural world, we can restore balance to our senses, improve our mental and physical health, and lead more fulfilling lives. So, take a break from your screens, step outside, and let nature rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit.
References
Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science, 19(12), 1207-1212. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02225.x
Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., & Daily, G. C. (2012). The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1249(1), 118-136. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06400.x
Carr, N. (2010). The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains. W.W. Norton & Company.
Hartig, T., Mitchell, R., de Vries, S., & Frumkin, H. (2014). Nature and health. Annual Review of Public Health, 35, 207-228. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-032013-182443
Holick, M. F. (2004). Sunlight and vitamin D for bone health and prevention of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular disease. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 80(6), 1678S-1688S. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/80.6.1678S
Kahn, P. H., Severson, R. L., & Ruckert, J. H. (2009). The human relation with nature and technological nature. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 18(1), 37-42. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01602.x
Ratcliffe, E., Gatersleben, B., & Sowden, P. T. (2013). Bird sounds and their contributions to perceived attention restoration and stress recovery. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 36, 221-228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.08.004
Rosen, L. D. (2012). iDisorder: Understanding Our Obsession with Technology and Overcoming Its Hold on Us. Palgrave Macmillan.
Thompson Coon, J., Boddy, K., Stein, K., Whear, R., Barton, J., & Depledge, M. H. (2011). Does participating in physical activity in outdoor natural environments have a greater effect on physical and mental wellbeing than physical activity indoors? A systematic review. Environmental Science & Technology, 45(5), 1761-1772. https://doi.org/10.1021/es102947t
Williams, K., & Harvey, D. (2001). Transcendent experience in forest environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 21(3), 249-260. https://doi.org/10.1006/jevp.2001.0204
