Head Vs Heart: A crowded mind leaves no space for a peaceful heart. ~ Beating Hearts and Butterflies: Poetry of Wounds, Wishes and Wisdom
Clearing our heads can be challenging, and we sometimes need to pursue environments that support our efforts in that direction. I’ve been forthcoming about what offers me that framework, but I’ve been wondering what factors influence that feeling. Sights? Sounds? What else? I put out a 4-question survey, and the results confirmed my preconceived notions. Let’s take a look.
Survey says!
I will begin by acknowledging that I drew conclusions that might not match yours. That said, I’m sharing the actual data on this website page. The skeptics among you are free to analyze to your hearts’ content and call out the flaws in my analysis. But before I go there, let me recap the purpose of the survey and the gist of the questions I asked.
My survey elicited questions surrounding individuals’ go-to place(s) for centering-down, if you will. What is the precise factor in my (or your) preferred environment that provides an invisible, calming blanket? “My” place has a variety of qualities that feed my soul, but I think some features have more impact than others. I believe I’ve cracked the code, but more on that at the end. First, take a look at the questions if you haven’t already seen the survey.
List questions on "Peace" survey
- Select all the places you feel happy and relaxed. Options were mountains, rivers, forest, countryside, desert, and urban parks.
- How important is the natural environment to your overall sense of peace? Options were immaterial, mildly impactful, moderately impactful, highly impactful.
- What specific features of your favorite peaceful place contribute to your sense of calm? Options were sounds, views, wildlife, smells, activities, memories.
- What activities do you participate in when you visit your favorite place? Options were picnicking, photography, reading, birdwatching, watersports, hiking.
My take on the results
The responses seem fairly in sync to me, but some of you will see it differently.
Question 1 includes six options, but every answer is akin to every other answer, save one. As far as responses go, over 80% of those surveyed selected both oceans and mountains. Almost 70% selected the countryside, and 54% selected the rivers. Fewer selected the forest, but that’s pretty much covered by mountains (in this part of the world) and by the countryside. No, I haven’t yet perfected creating survey questions. Flawed as they are, though, I can see that removing ourselves from clutter (multiple lanes of traffic/packed sidewalks/fully built-out acreage) supports a less cluttered mind. To my point, no one selected Urban Park.
On to Question 2, which is even easier to read. One respondent thinks the natural environment is only mildly impactful, but ALL the rest feel it is either moderately or highly impactful. This simply adds support to my first premise. Onward.
Question 3 responses, with a few exceptions, overwhelmingly indicate an appreciation for an environment that appeals to the five senses – sights, sounds, and fragrances alien to city life. I’m not the only one who is drawn to locations like “my” place, and for some of the same reasons. Sounds, views, and smells account for double the hits compared to wildlife, memories, and activities. Speaking of activities, there’s a consensus there, too, more or less.
Question 4 queried reasons for the destination – what activities lure them there? More than 75% of the selections relate to what I see as quiet time. Reading, hiking, bird watching, and snapping pics. Even the outliers reflect an appreciation for the beauty of the outdoors. Post survey, one respondent got back to me and explained that she would have included playing an instrument if that had been an option. Why would she be drawn to leave her home for that? “Nature doesn’t judge or interrupt.” Consequently, her music comes from an “honest and intuitive place.” How lovely is that?
And what does the health industry say about securing peace?
I tapped into just a few sites and their content tracks with the survey responses. A site called Health refers to studies done with healthy adults. It indicated there’s a relationship between the sounds of nature and stress reduction, specifically mentioning sounds like these: birdsongs, rustling leaves, and fast-moving streams.
The Mental Health Foundation (a UK site, but they’re still people, yes?) comments on the quality of nature settings. That is, not all natural settings have equally restorative properties. We have known for many decades that being outdoors promotes well-being, but natural settings with high biodiversity are the go-getters in this area.
The gift of peace in "my" place
Anyone who has talked to me for even a short time knows how much I love the Smoky Mountains. Yes, the views are incredible, no matter the season. The sounds are usually gentle–more so on vehicle-free day and in the winter, but always quieter than anywhere in town. The smells? This Park is a global hotspot of temperate biodiversity, so high quality nature. This means high odds of sweet smells dotted with fresh offerings from deciduous trees that create a pleasing fragrance. Wildlife–well, yeah. All that is appealing, but there’s more to it.
I’m emotionally attached to the Smokies primarily because of childhood memories; we camped there in the 60s. Daddy loved the mountains, and I feel closer to him there than anywhere. Thanks to volunteering opportunities, I have made friends who also spend time there, and they have enriched my life in ways I never could have anticipated. But that still doesn’t explain the peace.
My best guess is that the lack of common distractions supports a clear, unburdened mind. Cell service is spotty at best in that national park, and I automatically put my phone on airplane mode when I arrive. I most often visit the Cove, which has no distractions. Well, nothing other than wild things, mostly flying or on four feet. As I follow the pavement (gravel or natural path), I am often sheltered by a canopy of trees, and when I come out the other side, I lay my eyes on the grandeur of mountains that date back hundreds of millions of years. When I’m in that place, I see less of what man has made and more of what God has created.
The absence of busyness and the presence of so much that is so old and/or so grand helps me see what a small cog I am. A necessary cog, perhaps, but infinitesimal. Knowing my place reduces any anxiety I had when I arrived there. How? My life has a purpose, but the world doesn’t rest on my shoulders.
So, that’s me. At least some of my peace and clarity spring from heading to a spot that forces me to get out of my own head. What does “your” place do for you?
Several places come to mind. I think watching the mighty waves at the ocean is one of my peaceful places. Never ending, over and over big waves. I keep on looking for the next one. God’s beauty all free for our taking. A great provoking blog.
The ocean waves are certainly mesmerizing. Easy to relax there. We’ll have to go back next time I’m in that direction.
Good post and excellent positive direction to point folks in. We are fortunate. Upon retirement 25 years ago, I was able to buy 5 lots on top on one of the highest points around over looking Lake Travis and bits of the Texas hill country. We have enough land to isolate us from other houses. Our living room/kitchen is surrounded by large windows so the first thing I see when I come down for coffee is my favorite view, then I am only a few feet to the deck for more of the same enhanced by a very large live oaks with lots of bird activity.
I know it wasn’t luck that landed you there, but good planning. Glad you are able to live in “your” place.