3 days ago, my best friend sent me photos of her 9th hike this year.
“Wow, ooooo maybe next year I can join you. I mean we can do a hiking challenge together. Just motivate each other to hike more,” I said.
“Yeah, sure! I usually try to go once a month with a hiking group,” she replied. “The people that go on these long hikes are usually introverted. I found that they make good friends and acquaintances. And maybe you can explain this psychologically, but people open up while they’re walking—talking deep becomes comfortable.”
“Yes, because we’re not under pressure to say something, especially when we’re in a group,” I explained. “We’re walking side by side, and there’s no intense eye contact. Everything just flows naturally. And of course, nature just makes you happier and calmer.”
We left it there, but the part about nature stuck with me.
Because there’s something about nature that’s literally like a mental reset button.
And if you’re feeling like there’s never enough time in the day to get things done, this could be one of the missing pieces of your routine.
You see, your brain uses 2 types of attention (and that’s also a simplistic view, but I don’t want to turn this email into a neuroscience class):
Directed attention is what you use to focus on work, cross things off your to-do list, or meet a deadline.
It relies on your prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain that helps you make decisions and stay on task.
But, as you already know—it’s a limited resource.
Involuntary attention is the effortless attention you use when something naturally grabs your focus, like the sound of birds chirping or the sight of waves crashing.
It relies on older parts of your brain, like the sensory and limbic systems.
This type of attention doesn’t drain your mental energy—it actually helps restore it.
But here’s the problem:
Most online business owners burn through their directed attention by mid-afternoon.
And instead of replenishing it, they scroll through social media or watch a random YouTube video, hoping for a quick mental reset. (Haha, ask me how I know!)
But that doesn’t work.
Why?
Because those activities still use your prefrontal cortex, keeping it in overdrive.
You’re not giving your brain the rest it needs to recover.
And that’s where Attention Restoration Theory (ART) comes in.
Basically, ART says that when you start feeling like your brain is fried, nature helps you restore your attention, focus, and concentration.
Nature works because it has 4 magical ingredients:
- Being Away: Stepping out of your usual environment and mental demands.
- Soft Fascination: Things like rustling leaves or sunlight through trees gently catch your eye without requiring effort.
- Extent: A sense of space or a world beyond your immediate surroundings (even if it’s just a small park).
- Compatibility: Feeling at ease and connected to the environment—no pressure, just peace.
These 4 magical ingredients gently activate your involuntary attention while giving your directed attention time to restore itself.
It’s just like plugging your brain into a charger.
So next time you’re tempted to “take a break” by reaching for your phone, try this instead:
- Step outside to a green space for at least 10-15 minutes.
- Leave your phone behind (or put it on airplane mode).
- Focus on what’s around you—trees, clouds, birds, or even just the rhythm of your steps.
- Let your mind wander. Don’t try to “solve” anything.
When you come back to your work, you’ll notice the difference.
Your brain will feel lighter, clearer… your focus will feel sharper, and tasks that seemed overwhelming will feel manageable again.
Sometimes your to-do list isn’t the problem—sometimes you just need better breaks.
Not only will this help you work faster, but it’ll also help you stop feeling like there’s never enough time in the day to get things done.
Step outside. Recharge. See what happens.
Tp. Tp.
There’s more where that came from!
See, I’ve been writing daily productivity emails for online business owners since November 2024.
And what you just read is barely a scratch on the surface.
The real gems… The fun, insightful, and occasionally absurd behind-the-scenes stories… My best offers… The kind of stuff that makes you go:
“Wait… did that REALLY happen?”
I don’t blast those out to the whole internet.
(Some things… should be kept private.)
But if you want to snoop around… if you want to see what really happens in AYAPYLand…
There’s a door.
And it’s open.
For now.