The 3-Day Effect
There’s something about being out in Nature for 3 days or more that resets us and improves our mood, our well-being, and how well our brain is working.
Whenever possible, we highly recommend a minimum stay of 3 days to take advantage of this proven effect.
Observed by river rafting guide Ken Sanders who used to see a marked change in the groups he led on the 3rd day of being out on the river, it’s known as the 3-day effect. Since then, David Strayer and his group at the University of Utah have conducted studies that measured a real change in our calmness and even our creative problem-solving after 3 or more days in Nature.
As Ken Sanders said: “I think it takes the first two days and nights to wash away whatever veneer of civilization you have brought with you. The new reality begins on that third day.”
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The 3-Day Effect is a look at the science behind why being in the wild for a minimum of three days can make us happier, healthier and more creative. Whether it's rafting down Utah's Green River, backpacking in Colorado wilderness or strolling through Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., scientists are finding that immersions in nature can reduce anxiety, enhance creativity and boost overall well-being.
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Join science journalist Florence Williams in an immersive audio exploration of the mind and outdoors in six chapters following former Iraqi war veterans, sex trafficking survivors, and even a bookish nature hater journeying to the wild. Meet the innovative field researchers working to strengthen the science for a nature cure through real-time physiological, psychological and cognitive measures over three days outside.
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When you add The 3-Day Effect to your library you will receive all 6 episodes, each with a runtime of approximately 25 minutes.
For centuries, poets and philosophers extolled the benefits of a walk in the woods: Beethoven drew inspiration from rocks and trees; Wordsworth composed while tromping over the heath; Nikola Tesla conceived the electric motor while visiting a park. Intrigued by our storied renewal in the natural world, Florence Williams sets out to uncover the science behind nature's positive effects on the brain.
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From forest trails in Korea to islands in Finland to groves of eucalyptus in California, Williams investigates the science at the confluence of environment, mood, health, and creativity. Delving into completely new research, she uncovers the powers of the natural world to improve health, promote reflection and innovation, and ultimately strengthen our relationships. As our modern lives shift dramatically indoors, these ideas - and the answers they yield - are more urgent than ever.