Many people I talk to and work with are reflecting on ways to innovate and evolve in their work and lives. But how do we do this without falling into the trap of burnout? One surprisingly effective answer lies in something we might often overlook: nature.
Recent studies underscore the link between exposure to natural environments and improved innovation in everyday life. So, if you’re looking to find novel and useful solutions to problems—from business to school to parenting—without exhausting yourself, it might be time to head outside—whether it’s a walk in the park or a simple moment spent gazing at a tree. Nature not only nurtures our well-being but can also enhance our creative thinking in ways we may not consciously recognize.
Nature and Everyday Innovation
In our busy lives, it’s easy to overlook the potential for innovation that surrounds us. But everyday innovation—the act of finding fresh, creative ways to solve problems in our work and daily life—doesn’t require grand breakthroughs or complex solutions. It’s about making small, intentional changes based on inspiration from the world around us.
Take, for example, the work of physicist Richard Taylor at the University of Oregon. Taylor has spent years studying the elegant patterns found in nature, known as fractals—self-repeating structures that occur in everything from tree branches to snowflakes. His ongoing fascination with Jackson Pollock’s paintings coupled with his research into these patterns led him to a fascinating discovery: Jackson Pollock’s famous drip paintings also contain fractal-like structures.
What’s more, Taylor’s team found that people are drawn to fractal patterns, which could account for why certain natural scenes or artwork feel so pleasing. This realization eventually led Taylor and his colleagues to innovate a new hybrid form of solar panel with fractal patterns, improving energy efficiency and increasing well-being among people living near the panels.
While we may not all have access to a physics lab or artistic genius like Pollock, Taylor’s work demonstrates a truth most of us can heed: The patterns and structures of nature can inspire everyday innovation, both in technology and in our lives.
Fractals in Nature and Creativity
We each have the innate capacity to detect patterns. Consciously practicing pattern perception could be key to boosting your creative intelligence and everyday innovation.
What makes nature’s patterns so compelling is their ability to spark creativity in ways we often don’t consciously recognize. Fractals, for instance, aren’t just beautiful to look at—they help stimulate our brains, enhancing problem-solving and creative thinking.
A 2024 study published in Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts found that exposure to fractal patterns can improve cognitive performance, making us more adept at finding solutions to complex problems.
In a similar vein, a study from PLOS ONE (2012) revealed that simply looking at nature—whether in person or through images—boosted participants’ creative problem-solving abilities. Nature’s restorative effect is not only about reducing stress but also about enhancing our cognitive capacities for innovation. By engaging with nature regularly, we can improve our ability to think creatively in all aspects of our lives.
Working With Groups and Teams
In my work with groups and teams, I guide participants through nature-based practices designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. Whether it’s through outdoor retreats like UNPLUGGED + UNBOUND, guided workshops in natural settings, or mindfulness exercises focused on nature’s patterns, I help teams unlock new ways of thinking and working together. These experiences deepen their connection not only to the natural world but also to each other, sparking innovation that feels organic, aligned, and sustainable.
Nature-Based Practices for Innovation
Incorporating nature into our daily routines doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as adding a plant to your workspace. Studies show that people who work in environments with plants experience higher levels of well-being and creative thinking. Plants with fractal patterns, like certain hanging vines, offer additional benefits, enhancing our connection to nature and stimulating our minds, even when we’re not consciously focusing on them.
Taking it a step further, adopting a practice of mindful observation in nature can help us unlock fresh ideas. One method I’ve shared with my clients and readers of Tracking Wonder: Reclaiming a Life of Meaning and Possibility in a World Obsessed with Productivity is called “Pause * Gaze * Praise,” a technique designed to cultivate deep presence and foster creativity.
A Call to Action for Everyday Innovators
It’s easy to get overworked, and it’s tempting to feel held captive by devices and screens.
But you can unplug and unbind your mind upon occasion. You don’t need to be a physicist or artist to apply these principles of nature-inspired creativity to your life.
You can incorporate nature’s rhythms into your daily routines. Whether it’s a walk in the park, observing the fractals in your environment, or practicing mindfulness outdoors, nature can be a consistent source of inspiration for your own everyday innovation—without the risk of burnout.