But you may be surprised to learn that cute baby animals do more than just bring on the awws these critters have an outsize effect on cognition, as well. Bring a baby animal to your office-or to anywhere-and you'll be showered in hugs and attention. It's no secret that everyone loves puppies and kittens. The Grand Canyon is a triple threat: it's one of the most visually dazzling places in the world, it's one of-if not the-only physical landmarks to be a plaintiff in a lawsuit, and it's the 6th best place to go on vacation with your friends. So to reduce your stress, try out one of these desktop backgrounds straight from the natural world-or learn all about the 20 Mistakes That Will Only Compound Your Stress.

Those subjected to the natural environment reported significantly lower stress-and increased cognitive ability. The authors had subjects immerse themselves in one of three virtual reality settings: a nature setting an urban cityscape or a Tron-like metaphysical space, consisting of geometric shapes. Writing in the Journal of Cybertherapy and Rehabilitation, authors Deltcho Valtchanov and Ellard Colin found that digitally rendered natural environments significantly reduce stress levels. More recently, scientists have found that the nature viewed doesn't have to be, well, natural. These 'mere glimpses' could be as fleetingly insignificant as viewing a tree or three through a window just knowing nature exists-and that the concrete jungle you're confined isn't all there is on this giant rock we call home-is enough to placate the human psyche. Most notably, back in the 1980s, psychologists Rachel and Stephen Kaplan found that mere glimpses of 'natural settings' had subjects reporting higher levels of satisfaction with their home, their career, and their life overall.

Much ink has been spilled on the positive effects you can get from viewing natural environments. Part One: Nature Images for Stress Relief

Pretty nature backgrounds desktop