Color Gradients
Photo: Jeff Johnson
What?
Look for gradients of color in the natural landscape. It could be the horizon after a sunset, the colors in a flower or leaf, the color of an animal’s fur, or millions of other examples hiding in plain sight.
Why?
Because they’re beautiful works of natural art. Also, if you happen to be viewing the color gradient that occurs after a sunset, then it can help your circadian rhythm, which helps you have healthy energy levels through the day and sleep well.
How to?
Go outside and look around at the horizon, plants, fungi or animals.
Seek out shifts in color patterns.
Admire their beauty for a bit.
Protips:
Go with a friend so you can share the scouting and admiring.
You may need to look closely at leaves and other foliage to really notice the gradients. Get up close and personal.
About 20-30 minutes after sunset, the gradients intensify so stick around and watch the show.
Warning: Never stare at the sun, it can cause irreversible damage to the retina. Duh.
The Rabbit Hole (References for People Who Like to Geek Out)
Keltner, D. (2016, May 10). Why Do We Feel Awe? https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_do_we_feel_awe
Huberman, A [@Hubermanlab]. (2020 April 9). “Morning and evening sunlight is especially important and powerful, when it comes to activating the biological circuits that support mental [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-w7GP7nwwk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Huberman, A. (Host). (2021 June 14). The science of vision, eye health & seeing better (No. 24) [Video podcast episode]. In Huberman Lab. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObtW353d5i0&t=1920s Timestamp: 32:00
Patterson, S.S., Kuchenbecker, J.A., Anderson, J.R., Neitz, M., Neitz, J. (2020). A Color Vision Circuit for Non-Image-Forming Vision in the Primate Retina. Current Biology, 30(7), 1269-1274.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.01.040
Rivera, A.M., Huberman A.D. (2020). Neuroscience: A Chromatic Retinal Circuit Encodes Sunrise and Sunset for the Brain. Current Biology, 30(7), R316-R318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.02.090
We’d love to know how you microdose nature!
If you’d like to help expand the diversity of our microdoses (and help create a thriving community of nature junkies in the process), email us at hello@naturejunkielife.com
In your email, briefly describe your favorite nature connection experience, how to do it, and how it makes you feel. The more weird, wise and wonderful the better. Thanks in advance!
