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Time Feels Different in Nature: How Business Owners Can Harness Natural Environments for Better Decision-Making

Do you ever feel like time is racing by as you manage your business? A recent analysis of research suggests that spending time in nature might help you develop a healthier relationship with time – a crucial asset for any business owner. The perspective analysis by Correia published in People and Nature examines multiple studies, which collectively demonstrate how natural environments can fundamentally change our perception of time, with significant implications for business decision-making and productivity.

The Science Behind Nature and Time Perception

According to one study referenced in the analysis (Berry et al., 2015), our experience of time changes significantly when we’re in natural versus urban environments. The research found that exposure to nature affects our time perception in two key ways: it makes time feel longer, and it helps us develop a more balanced perspective between past, present, and future.

In the Berry et al. study, researchers had undergraduate students complete tasks while watching videos of either natural or urban settings. The results were striking – students who watched nature videos consistently perceived time as passing more slowly than those watching urban scenes. Think about what this means for a business owner’s workday. A freelance writer working on tight deadlines, for instance, might experience less time pressure when writing in a natural setting versus a busy cafe.

The study notes that “people who spend time in nature tend to overestimate the length of that experience,” suggesting that nature might be an antidote to the sensation of time flying by that many entrepreneurs experience. For a business coach conducting client sessions, this could mean that outdoor walking meetings might feel more substantial and unhurried than office-based ones.

What’s particularly interesting is that this effect doesn’t require lengthy nature exposure. Even brief periods in natural settings showed measurable impacts on time perception. This makes it practical for busy business owners to implement, whether you’re a consultant between client calls or a small retail shop owner on your lunch break.

Action Item: Block out 30 minutes in your schedule this week to work in a natural setting – whether it’s a park, garden, or even a window view of nature. Note how your perception of time during this session differs from your usual workspace.

Click here for my study breakdown & how you can use this study in your business & life:

More breakdowns below! 👇

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Wishing you much productivity!

- Jenae :)