Think of leaves on a tree that are the same shape but vary in size and scale. Think of pinecones, seashells, succulents and fern fronds.

Nature is full of softer geometric shapes like these, called ‘fractals’, which repeat across varying scales. They enable plants to grow efficiently and facilitate greater access to sunlight. Unlike the built environment, with its harsh straight lines and right angles, fractals evoke a powerful response in us humans that’s very beneficial to our well-being.

Looking at nature through the human eye, its fractals activate an automatic response in our brains. Studies have shown that our stress levels reduce, and our well-being is enhanced. There’s evidence too that patients in hospital who have a window view of fractals in nature, like tree branches, tend to recover more quickly.

We live in a built environment that often stresses us. Genetically, we’re just not programmed for the built world we’ve constructed around us. No wonder some of us are experiencing stress and a poor sense of well-being as our access to the natural world, particularly over winter, is limited.

Having your therapy session outdoors in nature taps into the wonderful power of the natural world. If you’d like to come and experience walking-and-talking therapy with me in a natural environment, please get in touch. If you prefer the warmth and comfort of an indoor setting, I also offer therapy sessions in Stone and Newcastle. Get in touch for your initial free 30-minute consultation.

Photo by Natalia Trofimova on Unsplash