The Psychology Behind Trends

By Austin Price, Editor in Chief

We’ve seen it countless times before. Trendy water bottles, makeup brands, apps and websites have circulated the media and overtaken our lives. Trendy items that in all actuality are simplistic, becoming accessorized and grossly overpriced. As I sit in a classroom with Stanley Water Bottles around me, and my trusty Hydro Flask water bottle in front of me, I can’t help but wonder, what’s with all the hype? Why do these materialistic items mean so much that they signify an individual’s status in society? Why do we care so much about these stupid things? Why do we feel the need to follow trends? Well, the answers are all based on psychology.  

A trend is described as a general direction in which something is developing or changing and can be applied to fashion, lifestyle, and experiences. The appeal of a trend is the need and the want to “fit in” with society. Keeping up with trends can foster a sense of community and camaraderie among people who have the same interests or preferences. Essentially, we follow trends because we don’t want to be left out and because it’s easier than making our own path.  

Scientists explain the trend following theory as The Bandwagon Effect. The bandwagon effect is a psychological phenomenon in which people do something primarily because other people are doing it. They do this regardless of their own beliefs, which they then ignore or override. This forms a herd mentality and gives people the safety net of other individuals that hold the same values in materialistic purchases and accessories.  

While it may seem naive for someone to go with the flow and follow the crowd, it’s not necessarily up to them. The bandwagon effect and need for human acceptance is a biological function that is unavoidable. Investopedia says “People are biologically programed to be social and like to be part of a group. Behaving the same way a group does can lead to belonging and acceptance,”.  

Our need to belong is not mentally constructed, but it is already programmed into us. Trends are just a way to enforce this feeling and satisfy the craving for acceptance. Because human beings are social creatures, it’s inevitable that we search for ways to agree with one another and ways to identify with one another. We do this by adopting the behavior of those around us, including the consumer mannerisms and shopping habits.  

Not only do following trends give us a sense of social belonging, but it also makes consumerism and decision making easier for us to comprehend. This is described through heuristics. Investopedia says, “The human brain uses ‘shortcuts’, known as heuristics, to make decisions more efficiently. One of these shortcuts is looking at what other people are doing. If enough people are following a trend, repeating a statement, or making the same decision, your brain will assume that it's the correct decision to make,”.  

Trends have always been present in society, but social media and internet influence have made it substantially more prominent in our daily lives. Psychologs.com explains this saying “In modern times, pop culture has replaced our everyday interactions. Social Lives have come to be centered on entertainment rather than relationships. In a world revolving around entertainment, our way of communicating with one another is through sharing content and participating in trends on social media,”.  

Social media trends have been running rampant since the COVID-19 pandemic. Trends such as TikTok dances, easy recipes, organizing ASMRs, and unpacking items flood the feed of most major social media platforms. With this constant flow of information, humans want to show that they are “up with the times” and informed of the social habits and experiences of many people online. Social media trends make people feel like they are being productive and acquiring new skills and they want to share this with their followers. Social media trends are also ways of digesting and distributing information. People use social media trends to get the word out on causes they care about by sending links to articles and videos.  

Because of the numerous ways we interact with one another through the influence of trends, I don’t think they will ever leave. Trends may change, but they will always be popular and impactful. Whether you own the newest accessories or follow the celebrities of today, you are participating in a biological, social behavior that should not be discouraged, but should be recognized. 

Am I A Future Murderer? Explaining the Cultural Obsession with True Crime

By Austin Price, Editor in Chief

I consider myself a true crime enthusiast. I love listening to true crime podcasts, reading true crime biographies and studies, reading and writing murder mysteries and short stories, watching and rewatching every true crime documentary out there. My family members gave me books about serial killers and psychopathic criminals for Christmas. My recommended list on Netflix includes titles like Catching Killers, Cold Case Files, Murder Mountain, The Confession Killer, American Crime Story, A Perfect Crime, and so many more that make me look insane. 

To fellow true crime enthusiasts, this list makes perfect sense. Perhaps you may even explore some of these new titles. But, to all you common folk who aren’t obsessed with the most gruesome deaths imaginable, you may fear me. That’s okay. I am here to explain to you all the cultural obsession with true crime and why I, and so many others, can’t seem to get enough of it. 

My obsession with true crime began about a year ago, before I started college. I have always considered myself mature for my age, but it didn’t really hit me how much of an old soul I was until comparing Spotify playlists with my friends. While they were listening to Harry Styles and Ariana Grande, I was listening to podcasts titled Sinister Societies, True Crime Couple, Dark Histories, and many more. I guess this was when it started to sink in that I had become completely engulfed in the world of true crime. My obsession was later enhanced when my friends and I watched Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, a movie about the life and crimes of Ted Bundy. While my friends were scared, I was intrigued. I wanted to know more about this monster and others like him. And so, my quest for all true crime material and media began. 

Before we get too far into things, I would like to say that I am not a murderer, nor am I a future murderer. Instead, I would like to claim the unofficial title of True Crime Addict. Calm down everyone, there are much worse things I could be addicted to than learning about death and the many ways I could kill someone. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, please follow me, your friendly neighborhood true crime addict, as I explain to you the reasoning behind my obsession and assure you that my behavior is completely normal. Here we go. 

True crime enthusiasts are so common in today’s day and age that we have a name for ourselves: murderinos. According to Urban Dictionary, a murderino is defined as “A person who is interested in, especially obsessed with, murders. Including serial murderers, spree killers and rage/thrill killers.” 

I think this definition describes me well and it’s comforting to know there are other true crime addicts out there that feel the same way as I do. I mean, we’re popular enough to have our own definition on Urban Dictionary, that’s one heck of an accomplishment. Now that you’re aware of our social status, let’s see what psychologists think of self-proclaimed murderinos. 

Natural Curiosity 

Psychologist Chivonna Childs, PhD, explores why people are obsessed with true crime and the psychological effects it can have. “Watching true crime doesn’t make you strange or weird,” Dr. Childs says. “It’s human nature to be inquisitive. True crime appeals to us because we get a glimpse into the mind of a real person who has committed a heinous act.” Most true crime lovers are fascinated by the likes of Jack the Ripper, H.H. Holmes and Ted Bundy out of a deep desire to better understand their unthinkable capacity for cruelty. “We want to see how they tick,” she says.

Dr. Childs continues explaining why women are more prone to enjoy and obsess over true crime than men are because women are also disproportionately likely to be the victims of crime.  “We want to watch true crime in part to learn how to avoid being a victim,” she says. “It can teach us to be prepared in case we’re ever in that situation.”  

I completely agree with this statement. True crime also allows us to operate in a safer, smarter way, reducing the risk of becoming the topic of a podcast ourselves. Because of all the heinous crimes I have heard, I now carry pepper spray and a taser with me and I refuse to walk alone with both earbuds in. I walk in groups when leaving a location, no matter the time of day, and I am constantly scanning my surroundings and walking with artificial confidence to try and scare off predators. I cannot say I would have done any of these things a year ago, but I was a different person then. I was much more naïve and innocent. While true crime may not be the most fun to listen to, it certainly is the most educational when you’re a young, small woman in your 20s that’s had one self-defense class in her life. 

Emily Mendez, M.S., Ed.S., is a published writer and expert on the topics of psychology, criminology, deviant behavior and mental health. She suggests that our fear drives us to learn as much as we can to preserve our own safety. “True crime appeals to our natural instinct to survive,” she says. “It eases our fears about the same thing happening to us. Understanding what the victims did or didn’t do in these situations helps us feel more in control. We believe that watching these shows will help us know how to act if we are ever in these situations ourselves.”

Consuming true crime is also shown to satisfy a natural sense of curiosity in humans. According to Lawyer Monthly, “True crime dramas give us an insight into our culture and norms as well as our anxieties and values. By watching true crime dramas, we unlock our natural desire to solve puzzles and mysteries and get to speculate as to why criminals may act the way they do. These programs also allow us to examine the darker sides of humanity from a safe distance, and they bring in another crucial element – our natural desire for justice. People get emotionally invested and want to see those who have done wrong get caught and punished.” 

True crime consumption and enjoyment has all the basics for good storytelling. Giving it a huge selling point for writers and bookworms. True crime has interesting characters, a sense of urgency, and tension that is (in most cases) released when the mystery is solved at the end.  True crime also allows fans a sense of catharsis, meaning a version of therapy and way to reduce stress and anxiety. 

Normally, we experience emotions like sadness or anger in real-world situations that are much more serious and negatively impact us. Engaging with those emotions in a safe, contained and chosen environment, like on your couch or in your car, can be therapeutic for some people. "It's really common and normal to enjoy things that involve experiencing difficult emotions in safe ways, like rollercoasters and horror movies and sad films,” says Emily Dworkin, a trauma researcher and assistant professor in the UW School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.  

Dworkin is not alone in this belief. Psychologist Dr Pamela Rutledge states “True crime allows us to experience fear in a safe way.” Rutledge continues her explanation by saying, “The attraction to true crime television has an evolutionary basis. Crime attracts our attention because we are hardwired to notice things that indicate danger; we instinctively watch to see if we are at risk. We are naturally curious. Finding answers and solutions makes us feel safer and more satisfied. True crime shows are a specific genre that signals a mystery story with the added adrenaline reaction from knowing something really happened. We enjoy the emotional experience of suspense and threat in entertainment because it allows us to experience fear in a safe way.”

Professor of sociology and criminology Scott Bonn explained that while the actions of a serial killer may be horrible to behold, many people simply can’t look away due to the thrill of the spectacle. “As a source of popular-culture entertainment, serial killers allow us to experience fear and horror in a controlled environment, where the threat is exciting, but not real,” he said. “Serial killers are for adults what monster movies are for children—that is, good, ghoulish fun.”

Rutledge also attributes our obsession with true crime based on our desire to understand what could enable someone to do something so evil. Dr Rutledge says, “Evil is a fundamental social taboo. We want to understand why evil – acts that violate social order – can happen and what drives individuals who are so untethered to social values.” 

“We all possess a dark side, although I would say most are light gray as opposed to inky black, and maybe that’s why so many of us are obsessed with the sinister doings of others,” says Janice Holly Booth, author of “A Voice out of Nowhere: Inside the Mind of a Mass Murderer.”

True crime also allows the exploitation of mistakes by the justice system and an appropriate and respectful look at victims and their families. Lindy Boustedt, and host of the podcast “A Senseless Death,” credits her desire to overcome the world’s general sense of chaos as a driving force in her interest in true crime. “True crime stories allow me to search for a sense of knowing, a sense of understanding so the world doesn’t feel so chaotic,” she says. “It also is a search for justice, hoping that in the end, the right side will prevail, and justice will be served.”

Beware the Turning Point into Obsession

Now, while there are many neutral effects of listening to and consuming true crime content, there is a point where a love of true crime can become more than love and turn into an obsession. 

Psychologist Chivonna Childs, Ph.D. dives deep into the psychological effect of crime shows. “Shows that focus on murder and rape can really take you to a bad place,” Dr. Childs says. “They can help you become more vigilant and aware, but you don’t want to become overly reactive to the point where you’re not leaving your house, you’re not socializing, you’re not functioning.”  

There are ways of taking you off the path of dangerous obsession and fascination with true crime. Dr. Childs says some of the main warning signs include you’re scared all the time, you feel unsafe at home, you’re wary of others, you’re anxious all the time, you cannot sleep or experience restless sleep, or you feel a never-ending sense of tension both physically and mentally. 

“Your body is going to tell you how much is too much,” Dr. Childs says. You don’t need to swear off all your favorite true and fictionalized crime shows forever. But the adage “Everything in moderation” applies. Too much of a good thing is still too much. 

All in all, being a true crime enthusiast does not make you a future murderer. Nor does it make you a potential suspect in any case. With thoughtful intentions, monitored moderation, scheduled breaks, and consciously separating true crime stories from your personal life, true crime can be a great way to better understand humanity and the dangers behind it. True crime enthusiasts are the most self-aware, spatially aware, and street-smart people on the planet giving us a benefit from others misfortune. 

Sibling Stereotypes and Common Family Dynamics

By Austin Price, Staff Writer

Many of us have siblings. Many of us love our siblings despite wanting to strangle them at times. Many of us ask our parents why they had more than one kid. Many of us see our siblings as our built-in best friends who have our back no matter what, but also will be murdered if they take one step into our room. For years we have asked ourselves why our relationships with our siblings are the way they are. We wonder why we have conflicted emotions towards the people we have grown up with. Taking a deep dive into the influence of nature vs. nurture, and the psychology of each family member in terms of their place in the group and their contribution to the rest, studies show that the order in which you are born may determine your feelings towards your siblings. This means that your place in the family could make or break the family’s dynamic. 

Oldest Sibling

Let us begin with our focus on the eldest child. I am the eldest of my family, and I can safely say, we are superior to the rest, no doubt. Our parents continued to have children after us because we were so amazing. Whether or not they are disappointed by our siblings after experiencing our greatness is another question. Regardless, the first born is the parents’ ultimate guinea pig and is the ultimate expectation setter. With great power comes great responsibility and every first-born child in the world can attest to the outlandish responsibility they hold. 

Studies have shown time and time again that the eldest sibling is a natural born leader and an intelligent one at that. "Research has consistently proven that oldest children are slightly more intelligent than their siblings," says licensed psychologist Sabrina Molden, PhD. "Also, they tend to be highly motivated, conscientious, and achievement-oriented." In fact, according to a survey conducted by executive performance company Vistage International, firstborns are more likely to become CEOs than their younger siblings. So, your suspicions are correct, the eldest sibling is the ringleader of every great success amongst the children. 

Because of the eldest child’s natural determination and need for control and organization, it’s no surprise that first born children have the most anxiety out of the family. A report from Best Life states that first-time parents are often worriers, and firstborn children often absorb some of their parents' anxiety, worrying about the same things their parents frequently fret over. "First time parents are anxious about safety because everything as it relates to this baby feels fragile," said Carrie Krawiec, LMFT. "They feel pressure to meet demands of developmental milestones and transfer that anxiety to their kids.” So, if you’re the eldest of your family, congrats, you have a “get out of jail free card” for your intense anxiety. Just say it was your parents’ fault and no further questions will be asked. 

 In addition to being ambitious, firstborns tend to seek approval more than their younger siblings. “They are kind of like a mini grown-up when there are no siblings to make up their peer group," said psychotherapist Rachel Wright. "Firstborns tend to put a lot of pressure on themselves, craving approval from their parents.” In addition to adopting this role of leadership, firstborns develop a need for control. According to Best Life, firstborns often find that their status as the central focus of their parents becomes threatened once siblings enter the picture, which leads them to take control and ensure they aren't usurped from their position of importance. 

Middle Children

On to the next member of the family, the middle child. Licensed mental health counselor Jaime Kulaga, PhD, claims that middle children tend to seek more attention than their older or younger siblings. "If the firstborn is this responsible overachiever, the second born must find their spotlight, too," said Kulaga. "This is where you might see the second child rebelling or being very competitive.”

Middle children have also been found to have a hard time finding their place in the family, and in turn, have a hard time developing their own, original personality. Middle children often test out a wide variety of identities before settling on one that fits. "They seek to find interests that don't already belong to other family members, making them feel foreign to their parents," said Krawiec, who notes that this can also cause middle children to seem "isolated and secretive."

Middle child personalities emerge in response to how they perceive the next-oldest sibling in the family. So, for example, if the older sibling is a parent-pleaser, the middle child might rebel to get attention. In the eyes of the middle child, the oldest siblings reap all the privileges, and the babies get away with everything. This tends to isolate middle children, causing them to gravitate toward friends outside the family.

Kevin Leman, Ph.D. and author of “The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are”, argues that middle-born children are often entirely different than older siblings. "Once a role is filled by the firstborn, the second born will seek out a role that's completely the opposite," Dr. Leman says. "Middle child traits are the hardest to categorize, but whatever traits they develop play off the first born," he says.

Because of the complicated position middle children are born into, they often end up developing Middle Child Syndrome. Many experts who study personality believe that your family's birth order plays a role in your development. They see "middle-child syndrome" as the idea that if you're neither the oldest child nor the youngest, you get less attention from your parents and feel “caught in the middle.” The middle child often feels the need to compete with both the younger and older sibling for parental attention. They might compete for attention between siblings, as they risk being ignored by one or the other.

Youngest Sibling

Now onto the baby of the family: the youngest sibling, the attention seeker, the reason why your parents stopped having kids. Whatever they may be, the youngest child is often categorized as wild, confident, and outgoing. Studies show that this timeless stereotype is in fact a true reflection of the youngest child’s place in many families. 

No matter how old they get, many parents will always see their youngest as a baby, in other words, their last opportunity to raise a child. This means that the youngest is often coddled and given more attention than their eldest sibling ever was because of their parents' behavior. "Parents of younger siblings recognize how quickly these baby phases pass and may regret rushing their older kids through milestones," Krawiec said. "They may compensate by keeping their youngest in phases longer like nursing and co-sleeping." Youngest children are their parents’ last opportunity to raise a child, causing them to elongate the “growing up” process of their beloved baby. 

All that attention lavished upon the baby of the family often means that they continue to seek out that same attention when they're older. Many youngest siblings do so by learning how to turn on the charm. "The youngest children in a family tend to be more social because of having had increased opportunities, at early ages, of interacting with siblings," explained Sabrina Molden, PhD. The youngest children are playful, rule breakers, charming, and carefree. They get plenty of attention and have parents who have grown decidedly less strict with each child.

The baby of the family is also the most relaxed sibling and shows low levels of anxiety compared to their family members. "Last borns can actually be more independent, as their parents have 'been there,'" says clinical psychologist Stephanie Newman, PhD, author of Barbarians at the PTA. "This means parents are often more relaxed, resulting in more relaxed kids."

The youngest children in the family are often known for being less concerned about doing things right or achieving certain things and more concerned about having fun with their friends. Oftentimes, these children are more extroverted than others and enjoy having less responsibility within their families.  

Influential Factors 

Now that we’ve gone through each sibling and the characteristics of their birth order, let’s examine the why’s behind them and the different variables that could impact these prescribed personalities. One of the most influential factors in sibling structures and family dynamics is the age difference between children. Catherine Salmon, Ph.D., a coauthor of “The Secret Power of Middle Children”, says that “The closer the age intervals are between siblings, the more competition there is. When kids are one to two years apart, especially if they are the same gender, there’s more conflict. Three to four years between siblings tends to be a sweet spot; kids are close in age but have room to be themselves.” Many experts agree that five or more years between kids acts as a reset button, kicking off a “new family” with a fresh firstborn.  

The next big factor in influencing sibling stereotypes and setting common family dynamics is gender. “Gender is a significant influence when it comes to the birth role that one develops within the family,” said Alan E. Stewart, Ph.D., who researches birth order at the University of Georgia. When the first two children are different genders, they often both behave like firstborns. If there’s a high value being placed on one gender over the other, the dynamic gets disrupted. 

Another factor in sibling relationships is parental behavior. According to Las Cruces Sun News, our perception of our role in the family comes not only from the experiences we have as a sibling, but the way our parents treat us growing up. Sibling rivalry is really connected to parents’ expectations. Many times, parents end up reinforcing birth order stereotypes by expecting certain things from their children at different ages. Parents may also put pressure on firstborns by giving them more responsibility and expecting them to serve as an example to their younger siblings, but it’s important to divide responsibilities among all children as they become old enough to handle them.

Spending one-on-one time with children also can help them develop a sense of independence from their siblings. Parents can drive children in certain directions but need to follow the child’s lead and let them pursue their own interests to fully develop their personality. Family relationships and roles can change as siblings take on new experiences in adulthood and form their own families.

Only Children

Now, some of you may be feeling left out. Don’t worry, only children, I didn’t forget about you. Besides, you had your parents' devotion to keep you satisfied. But now it’s your turn to be examined.

Michael Grose, parenting educator and author of “Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change It”, perfectly describes only children. He says, "An only child is really a first born that has never been dethroned." I think this is a fantastic comparison. ‘Dethroned' may seem like a strong term for gaining a brother or sister, it also makes total sense. Where once the baby had the sole attention of both their parents, now he or she must share it with a younger, needier individual. And so, the concept of 'sibling rivalry' begins.

Only children face struggles in developing social skills and relating to their peers. Without siblings to develop social skills with, they may have a tougher time navigating relationships with their peers. That's why they are often content to fly solo or find themselves enjoying the company of their parents more than that of their contemporaries. Only children generally mesh along well with adults [and] are mature," explains community and clinical psychologist Tricia Wolanin, PsyD.  

Only children often develop a need for attention from those around them, because of the constant attention given to them by their parents. However, this attention can also cause premature tendencies. "Only children are like older siblings in many ways, particularly when it comes to their maturity," Krawiec says. "They are super responsible, perfectionistic, and also have difficulty handling criticism. This is true because they must shoulder all their parents' expectations, a heavy load," says Krawiec.

Parting Thoughts

No matter how many studies or examinations are completed to try and explain family dynamics, one thing remains constant. Family is forever. Blood ties do not just disappear, and emotional connections will forever remain. No matter if you love or fight, agree or argue, please or push, you are connected to your family in an intimate and vulnerable way through relationships you were born or accepted into. There is no way to truly leave your family, even if they may drive you crazy. Family is not a mandatory love, it is a consistent love that is challenging and complicated but so, so irreplaceable. 

And so, I leave you with this advice. Go tell your siblings you love them. Okay, I know that may be hard for some of you so you can also just tell them that you’re glad they’re not dead and you have someone to share chores with. Whatever works for you. Better yet, give them a hug. Okay, I know that I’m really pushing it so an epic handshake will also suffice. 

Nourished and Nurtured by Mother Nature

By Austin Price, Staff Writer

Since joining Regis University this year, I have found one program in particular that has impacted me and improved my mental health immensely. This program is the Outdoor Adventure Program (OAP). The Outdoor Adventure Program is exactly what it sounds like. It is a program designed to take Regis students to beautiful destinations for exploration and discovery in a safe and encouraging environment.

I have been on many trips with OAP this year, including adventures to Lake Dillon, CO; Genesee, CO; Snowmass, CO; Moab, UT; Shelf Road, CO; and I plan to embark on many more. With OAP, I have gone hiking, rock climbing, canyoneering, backpacking, camping, swimming, rafting, stargazing, and so much more. OAP has provided me with so many opportunities and has given me a positive outlet for my mental health. 

As someone clinically diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), I have spent most of my life in various forms of treatment including medication and therapy. While I have found a balance with those treatments, I can safely say that Mother Nature has been the superior doctor for me. Whenever I am on an expedition with OAP or exploring Colorado on my own, the cacophony of voices inside my head and the endless string of worries seems to be silenced. I have no anxiety, no sadness, no compulsions, and no fear when I am experiencing nature in the most vulnerable way. 

After finding such immense success with my mental health and the correlation it holds with the great outdoors, I was curious to know more about why a few days outside had such a drastic impact on my life and on me as an individual. So, I did what any great outdoors enthusiast / mental health advocate would do, I did some research. 

There are countless studies and experiments done regarding Mother Nature and her impact on human behavior. The American Psychology Association reports that “Spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being.” Studies also show that even if one cannot actively spend time in nature, “feeling connected to nature can produce similar benefits to well-being, regardless of how much time one spends outdoors.” What you are seeing, hearing, experiencing at any moment changes not only your mood, but how your nervous, endocrine, and immune systems are working. 

The American Psychology Association also conducted studies on the various types of outdoor exploration in terms of terrain and environment. They found that “Both green spaces and blue spaces (aquatic environments) produce well-being benefits. More remote and biodiverse spaces may be particularly helpful, though even urban parks and trees can lead to positive outcomes.” 

Studies show that nature can help humans cope with pain, whether it be mental pain or physical pain. Because we are genetically programmed to find trees, plants, water, and other nature elements engrossing, we are absorbed by nature scenes and distracted from our pain and discomfort. Since our ancestors evolved in wild settings and relied on the environment for survival, we have an innate drive to connect with nature.

Time spent in nature has been discovered to be a way to increase calmness in oneself and increases the amount of endorphin levels and dopamine production which make up the feeling of happiness. Nature brings a sense of calmness and stillness. In a world buzzing with fast cars, smartphones, and social media, the outdoors remains raw and untethered. In addition to a sense of tranquility, nature also encourages a more giving spirit amongst humans. 

Experts believe that this phenomenon of selflessness and sacrifice in nature is due to awe, which refers to the deep sensation of connection with the world around us. It can occur during moments of inspiration, like when you are standing on top of a beautiful mountain or witnessing a stunning sunrise. Awe evokes a deep sense of gratitude. When outdoors, it can inspire a deep and profound perspective of our planet embracing us with a feeling of happiness. When we feel happy, we want to share our feelings of joy with others. As a result, we tend to be more kind, patient, and giving.

Nature can restore capacity for concentration and attention. We must be more alert when we are in nature. We are more aware of our surroundings and more attuned to how we feel. Compared to our cushioned offices and homes, there are far more variables in the great outdoors. However, this wakefulness is not a bad thing. If we are running on autopilot throughout the day, it can be the change our minds and bodies crave. 

Time in nature or time spent viewing nature scenes increases our ability to pay attention. Because humans find nature inherently interesting, we can naturally focus on what we are experiencing out in nature. This also provides a respite for our overactive minds, refreshing us for new tasks. 

Nature has also been shown to reduce irritability and feelings of isolation as well as reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. According to a series of field studies conducted at the University of Minnesota, when participants viewed nature scenes, the parts of the brain associated with empathy and love were activated, but when they viewed urban scenes, the parts of the brain associated with fear and anxiety were activated. 

McMaster University reports that “a minimum of two hours a week spent in nature, either at one time or over several visits, is needed to significantly increase your health and well-being.” One of the most essential things to remember when utilizing nature as mental and physical therapy is to ensure the place you choose to go feels safe. Time in nature is only a stress antidote if you can properly relax and embrace the experience.

Because of the vast research found to support and demonstrate the benefits of nature on the human mind, many businesses and organizations are prioritizing exposure to nature daily. Adding simple and cost-effective procedures to provide natural connectivity such as adding houseplants as décor, opening windows to hear birds chirping or leaves rustling, and even hanging photographs of nature inside have been shown to improve work efficiency and advance workplace collaboration between employees. Exposure to nature in person or via video has led to improvements in attention, positive emotions, and the ability to reflect on a life problem. 

Nature positively influences physical health in addition to mental health. Physical care from Mother Nature can begin at the very earliest stages of human life. Richard Louv, journalist and world-renowned author of “Last Child in the Woods”, has conducted research on pregnant women and how both their health and the that of their unborn child can benefit from time spent in nature. Louv writes, “Even before birth, nature exposure for mothers can promote better fetal growth and healthier birthrates, especially for mothers of lower education and socio-economic levels. Time spent outdoors in bright sunlight can reduce nearsightedness and increase vitamin D levels and access to parks and greenspace can foster increased physical activity, reduced risk of obesity and the likelihood that girls will remain active into adolescence. Learning in nature can support improved relationship skills, as well as reduced stress, anger, and aggression.”

As the human being ages from infant to adolescent, the need for contact with nature increases. The University of California, Los Angeles reports the health benefits of time spent outdoors for youth, which has a positive impact on mental health. Long-term exposure to green space can moderate symptoms of attention disorders, park use substantially reduces stress and can increase resiliency, and park programs are cost-effective investments. 

As more years pass and adolescence turns to adulthood, the need for nature is still prominent in each human’s life. Time spent in nature has proven to make us healthier and stronger by boosting our immune system, lowering blood pressure, accelerated recovery from surgery or illness, increased energy level, reduced risk of cancer, reduced cortisol (a stress hormone), improves sleep, stabilizes vitamin D production, produces beta-endorphins, and regulates circadian rhythms. 

While time spent in nature provides our bodies with many things, it also prevents damaging diseases. Evidence shows that living in greener urban areas is associated with lower probabilities of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, asthma hospitalization, mental distress, and mortality.

With benefits involving both mental health and physical health, it is hard to argue that humans do not need nature. Oftentimes in the current day and age, we get swept up in our technological worlds of work and school. We get trapped by an endless loop of TikTok videos and Instagram DMs. We spend more time texting our friends than we do talking to them. However, with recent evidence and firsthand experiences to back me up, I argue that it is imperative to spend more time outside, not glued to a screen, and instead letting that primal instinct that every human being has takeover. 

I am not saying you need to go backpacking for a month to connect with nature. I understand we have busy lives and because of that, we often put our self-care at the bottom of our priority lists. So, start small. Switch your phone’s lock screen to a picture of nature. Go for a walk around the block when you need a break from work. Open your blinds and windows when working around the house. Take your lunch break outside. Meet up with an old friend to walk around a park. These small steps can drastically improve your mental and physical wellbeing and these behaviors often influence others to do the same. 

National parks, open spaces, rivers, lakes, trails, and boulders are all easily accessible, especially in Colorado and these activities are free. Take advantage of the beauty surrounding us and in doing so, let yourself appreciate you and your accomplishments. Let yourself get lost in nature and remind your internal human instinct of its roots. Humans were created to live on this planet. Now let us go enjoy it. 

Procrastination – What’s The Excuse?

By: Vivian Pham, Staff Writer

The deadline is 11:59 PM, and here you are staring at the computer and typing as fast as you could at 11:57 PM? Welcome to the procrastinators club! 

Sometimes, we choose to procrastinate because we have certain strategies to deal with it. Sadly, sometimes we are simply in a psychological trap, causing the situation above. So what is the psychological trap that makes us procrastinate?

Adrenaline is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands located at the top of each kidney. Everytime our body is in a stressful condition, adrenaline will be produced. When you are extremely stressed, you will have an adrenaline rush. Adrenaline breaks down glycogen into glucose. Enough glucose will provide energy for the brain to think, learn, and memorize quicker. That’s why whenever the deadlines are coming, you are more focused and able to think better, thanks to the adrenaline rush. However, if you experience a constant adrenaline rush, it will have a negative long-term effect on your body. In “The End of Stress as We Know It”, Dr. Bruce McEwen – a neuroendocrinologist at Rockefeller University – stated that if our body experiences constant long-term stress, then the brain, the immune system, and the circulatory system will be weakened. Significant symptoms include insomnia, feeble resistance, or even anxiety disorder. Additionally, too much adrenaline will cause hyperglycemia, also known as high blood sugar, a major cause for diabetes. 

A reason for being procrastinated might come from the fact that you are afraid of changes and the desire to remain in the comfort zone. That was the conclusion drawn from a study of two psychologists Robert Yerkes and John Dillingham Dodson in 1908, called the Yerkes-Dodson law. Basically, humans prefer being in the comfort zone, such as doing tasks that are familiar, don’t require too much effort, and aren’t challenging. Because of that, we don’t get a lot of pressure and face any assessment of our qualifications. Deadline, on the other hand, is considered out of the comfort zone with many risks and challenges. So when it comes to deadlines, we tend to procrastinate as a way to protect ourselves from the risks and challanges, for when we confront failure, we are likely to blame our failure on other things and not our own self.

When you are given more time to finish a task, we tend to spend all that extra time on that task, even though it’s not necessary and less efficient than finishing the task by the original deadline. This is called the Parkinson’s law, a study of Cyril Northcote Parkinson – a British naval historian. He gave an example of a task in which one has to write a letter and send it to someone else. He claimed that a normal person would take several hours to finish, while a busy businessman only takes three minutes to accomplish the task. 

When you are given a task, the first thing you wonder is usually: “how much time do I have to finish this task?” instead of “how much time do we need to finish this task?”. This kind of thinking will cause you to unconsciously schedule and complete the task by the deadlines, which leads to delays in other tasks that would have been completed earlier. Moreover, the longer the deadlines, the harder you would think of it. 

The Meaningless of A Repeated Word

By: Vivian Pham, Staff Writer

You were focusing on a good book when all of a sudden, you got distracted and lost track of the book. You had to re-read the paragraph again, but a weird thing happened. You stared at the words for a minute and suddenly, the word became unfamiliar. After a few minutes staring at it, you believe that it wasn’t misspelled, but it still looked like there was something wrong with it, even after you checked the dictionary. Are there any reasons behind this strange phenomenon?

In “Verbal Conditioning and Behaviour”, Dr. Jagannath Prasad Das defined “semantic satiation” as a loss of meaning of a word following its massed evocation as the word is repeated over and over again. When this study is expanded, it is suggested that this psychological phenomenon is applied for readers as well. In Dr. Leon Jakobovits’s 1962 doctoral dissertation at McGill University, he pointed out that when we stare at a word for a long time, this psychological phenomenon will be activated which makes the word look strange and unfamiliar, even with the simplest word.

“Unconscious inference” was first proposed in 19th century by a physicist Hermann Helmholtz, where inference refers to the idea that the brain conjectures what might be out there, and the unconscious reminds us that we have no awareness of the process. This process constantly occurs since we were born. An example for unconscious inference is the brain tends to think the Sun moves around the Earth – sunrise and sunset. However, in fact, the truth is the Earth orbits around the Sun, it’s just the brain thinks that what we see is the Sun orbits the Earth. Likewise, when we read and perceive language, our brains are in an unconscious inference state. So, when we stare at a word longer than we should, this state of mind is interrupted, causing the brain to “question” the meaning of that word.

The study “Communication in the Real Word” from Minnesota University dug deep into the essence of language and claimed that the language system is primarily made up of symbols which combine to deliver messages. When we perceive language, we perceive the combination of factors that make a language meaningful, not perceive it separately. Therefore, when we read a word, we don’t just read letter by letter, we read the whole word structurally in order to avoid looking at the words by its letter and break its meaningful structure.