Why is the best seat by the window?

A dose of nature

When we return from vacation, we spend, without realizing it, more time “inside.”

Inside the house. Inside the car. Inside meetings. Inside the head.

Without realizing it, we forget to spend time outdoors. We save those moments for a weekend, perhaps later in life, and we lock ourselves away within four walls. For longer and longer.

Most of us don't know we're missing something. But we are. And our bodies feel it.

There's a name for it: Nature Deficit Disorder . A term coined by Richard Louv to describe what happens when people, and especially children, spend too little time in nature.

The result? Anxiety, attention deficit, chronic fatigue, and a malaise we can't always explain.

So how many "doses of nature" do we need? Studies show that at least two hours a week of direct contact with nature can make all the difference to our health and well-being.

The good news? You don't have to go to the forest every day. You can do it in small doses throughout the week. This is a practice I've been following, and it's even more effective the more intense my week is.

Already

Have you ever wondered why you choose the window seat?

In a restaurant, on public transport or in the office, this is usually the most desirable place.

Without realizing it, we instinctively seek out sunlight, the sound of water, the greenery of plants. Because, in a deep and ancient way, our bodies recognize that these environments are good for us—they help regulate our heart rate, reduce stress, improve our mood, and increase our focus.

Nature is closer than it seems.

Even in the city, there are ways to reconnect:

• Walking to work on a tree-lined street

• Taking a coffee break by the window

• Find a park or garden for lunch

• Plant something simple at home: an aromatic herb, a flower

• Observing the cycles — the sky, the light, the wind, the sounds

I created a notebook with some practices and ideas for taking restorative breaks throughout the day. If you're interested, you can download it here.

Checklist 24 atividades.

Download • 83KB

Connecting with nature is less about the place…and more about how you are in that place.

We are nature 🌿