2023 01 24

Open AI on the effects of nature exposure

Lot's of buzz on AI in general and ChatGPT in particular. Listened to an episode of the Swedish podcast "AI för ledare och CXO:er" (well worth the 60 minutes!) and decided to give it a try. And here's what I got when I asked it to "Write me a 400 word blog post on how decision making is affected by nature exposure".

“Decision making is a crucial aspect of our lives. We make decisions every day, big or small, and they shape our lives. From deciding what to wear, what to eat, to where to live and work, we are constantly making choices. However, the environment in which we make these decisions can have a significant impact on their outcome. Recent research suggests that nature exposure can improve decision making.

One of the most compelling effects of nature exposure on decision making is that it can lead to improved cognitive function. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can lead to an increase in working memory, attentional capacity, and overall cognitive performance. This is thought to be due to the fact that nature provides a break from the constant distractions and demands of modern life, allowing our brains to rest and recharge. Additionally, the natural environment is thought to stimulate the brain in ways that are not possible with man-made environments, leading to increased neural activity and improved cognitive function.

Another important effect of nature exposure on decision making is that it can lead to increased creativity. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can lead to an increase in divergent thinking, which is a critical aspect of creativity. Divergent thinking is the ability to come up with many different ideas and solutions to a problem, which is essential for problem solving and decision making. Additionally, nature provides a diverse and stimulating environment, which is thought to stimulate the mind and lead to increased creativity.

Nature exposure can also lead to better emotional regulation and mental well-being. Being in nature can reduce stress and anxiety, and improve mood. This can lead to improved self-awareness and self-regulation, which are critical for effective decision making. Additionally, nature provides a sense of perspective, which can help us to step back from problems and see them in a new light, leading to more effective decision making.

It’s not only physical exposure to nature that has benefits but also visual exposure to nature. Having a window with nature view, having plants in your office or even just looking at nature photos can have similar effects as physically being in nature.

In conclusion, nature exposure has been found to have a significant effect on decision making. It leads to improved cognitive function, increased creativity, improved emotional regulation and mental well-being, and better decision making. With our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and forget to take a break and spend time in nature. But by making a conscious effort to incorporate nature into our lives, we can improve our decision making, and ultimately lead a more fulfilling life. So, next time you need to make a decision, take a break and go outside, or even just look at a nature picture, it might just help you make a better decision.”

https://chat.openai.com/

The generated text is definitely aligned with my own findings when going through research on the subject. Unfortunately, the sources are left out in the prompt, but sill, I asked a plain question ad got a well written and correlating text on the subject. Next question that arises for me is how I can use this? As a sourcer for information (that needs to be checked) and inspiration, sure. And as a first step towards learning new things, definitely. Maybe even as a colleague and adviser? Future will tell…

Johan Norrfjärd
I work with people driven business development. Simply because I want to give momentum to the right kind of transformation. The transformation coming from vertical development that creates a better world for current and coming generations. I strive for trust, happiness and freedom in all collaborations and co-creations.
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