Aesthetic Stressors

‘Once upon a time, in a land not so very different from the ACT, lived a girl studying Forestry and Sustainability Science at university. One day during an Urban Forestry lecture, her professor dropped an anecdotal remark – “Looking at straight lines causes psychological stress to human beings, thus urban forestry is important and modern architecture is curvy.” And with that, he moved onto a different topic…’

Now, more than 10 years after having completed that subject, I am still fascinated by that one anecdotal comment he made. It’s funny – it’s probably the single, clearest memory I have from any subject I studied during those long 5.5 years! And it’s barely forestry related! Its stress related! So today I’m taking the pleasure of sharing this fascinating concept with you.

In the architectural world it has long been known and understood that people feel more comfortable around round objects than sharp objects. This has an obvious origin – sharp and pointy means dangerous. Smooth, soft, fuzzy edges are comfy and safe.

There is also quite a lot of research that fractals make people feel more comfortable. This also has an obvious source – nature is full of fractals of varying degrees (tree branches, leaf veins, snowflakes, vascular systems, feathers, etc.)

But where am I going with this?

Think about ‘modern decorating’ or the cityscape that many of us now exist within. How much space around us is full of soft, curvy objects, or fractals (natural or otherwise)?

We humans have been so busy making our lives efficient, smooth and time-saving that we have almost completely disconnected from our natural roots (another fractal!).

I've deliberately placed so many images in this week’s post to give you the opportunity to have a good look at each. Just relax and look at each image – how does it actually make you feel? Forget about all the ‘learned aesthetics and biases’, and just feel it.

Straight lines and sharp objects stimulate the stress response area of the brain. So even if you consciously like the simplicity of a harsh or abstract design, you will more likely than not be stressed on a subconscious level.

My GEM for this week, give your conscious and subconscious mind a rest - take the time to look at natural things. Have a good look at the tree out the front of your home, or on the road to work (please don’t try to do this while driving though – dangerous!) J

Getting out into nature is fantastic, but if you don’t have the opportunity, find ways to look at nature in the meantime.

There’s so much more to it than this, but I really wanted to share with you this one fascinating little insight that has been delighting and inspiring me for 10 years now!

And one more thing – Google Image search “Fractals in Nature”. Wow, so many beautiful images! Just, wow!

* Disclaimer – I own none of the images borrowed as examples for this post. If anyone is interested in my sources, message me and I’ll send you the links.

Next week I’ll bring us back to reflexology, and teach you some nifty tricks that I often give my clients as homework! J

Until then, have a refreshing and delightful week.

In love and light, be peaceful

Annalise