The mathematical equation that reduces stress
Sand dunes, the human nervous system, river systems, lightning bolts, Pollock’s paintings. Guess what these have in common?
They're all mathematical equations, called fractals. Fractals are a special form of geometric repetition, in which smaller copies of a pattern nest inside each other. The exact same shape appears, no matter how zoomed in or zoomed out the viewer may be. Think of how the veins in leaves resemble the branches, which resemble the tree itself. A perfect example of a fractal.
Humans are living breathing fractals too. Our lungs, our veins, our nerves - all fractals. The body distributes the blood in a fractal visualization. Some scientists are even suggesting that our brains may be fractals.
“Nature has chosen fractals to be its basic building block”
- Richard Taylor, Professor of Physics at the University of Oregon.
Benoit Mandelbrot discovered the mathematical equation that quantifies the complexity of nature's design in 1975. What he didn’t know then is that fractals can have a profound effect on our mental health.
Over a series of interconnected studies, researchers have found that looking at fractals can lower stress levels by up to 60 percent. Best part - the effect is immediate. It doesn’t require sustained focus. And the effect has been replicated across stress measurement technologies - electrograms of brain wave activities, magnetic resonance imaging, skin temperature, and sweat.
Those same studies found that we respond with the highest reduction of stress when looking at a specific subset of fractal patterns. Turns out - patterns that are within our daily reach are most effective. From clouds, rocks, branches, and leaves, to dunes, waves, and Pollock’s splatters.
The brain activity while looking at these patterns showed a particularly interesting interplay. One part of the brain (parietal lobe) goes into attentiveness, high arousal, and hyperactivity (high beta waves). The other part of the brain (frontal lobes) goes into a relaxed state (high alpha waves). The combination of these complex dynamic waves creates a wake-fully relaxed state.
Some scientists believe that looking at fractals relaxes us because that is the natural, default environment for humans. We were surrounded by fractals, before we built up concrete buildings around us and cut all the trees. We used to hunt and forage among fractals all day long, before we started sitting in offices. Florence Williams - author of the book “The Nature Fix” - argues that we suffer from an “epidemic dislocation from the outdoors.”
Another hypothesis suggests that fractals reduce stress because our eyes use a search pattern that itself is fractal.
“Your visual system is (...) hardwired to understand fractals. The stress-reduction is triggered by a physiological resonance that occurs when the fractal structure of the eye matches that of the fractal image being viewed.” - Richard Taylor, Professor of Physics at the University of Oregon.
I bet you there’s a park or a waterline within walking distance of your place. I bet you there’s a leafy tree-lined street or square nearby. I bet you’ve forgotten what it can feel like to stare at the clouds passing by. Do that daily and see what happens to your mood and energy levels.
Or at the very least… next time you get stressed, rattled, anxious, or angry actually lean into that very human urge to storm out. And go wander around the local park, looking up at the clouds and trees.
The Habit:
Make it a daily practice for a week to walk (or run!) among the trees, look at passing clouds, trees, or at shimmering water.
For true benefit of this practice - leave your phone behind and focus on how your body feels when you look at nature. Only 15 minutes will do the trick.
How to know if it's working:
You may feel a sense of spaciousness, calm, and physical relaxation.
Additional Reading/Listening:
The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative (book) by Florence Williams
The Well-Gardened Mind: The Restorative Power of Nature (book) by Sue Stuart-Smith
Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit (book) by Lyanda Lynn Haupt
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Disclaimer:
Information provided in this newsletter is not medical or professional health care advice. If you are struggling right now and looking for help, please dial 988 to talk to a trained counselor at a crisis center closest to you.
