Humans are Wired for Nature

Humans are Wired for Nature

Humans have spent 99.8% of their evolutionary history living in natural environments, with the recent shift to urban living representing just a tiny fraction of our existence. This relatively short "city experiment," while offering many benefits such as technological advancements and concentrated resources, has also brought significant drawbacks. 

The lack of exposure to natural environments, combined with factors like air and noise pollution, sedentary lifestyles, the fast-paced urban lifestyle and digital addictions, has taken a toll on human health and wellbeing.

The Origin of Olo

Connection to nature and its impact on human health and wellbeing is reflected in the founding story of Olo. When Markus and I moved to the countryside outside of Berlin in 2015, we transformed our freelancer businesses into a vision that stemmed from three significant trends that would shape the world today:

1. Climate Change and Biodiversity: Beyond carbon removal, the profound risks and impacts of biodiversity loss are less discussed. However, the benefits of preserving and interacting with diverse ecosystems are fundamental, contributing to food production, clean air, water quality, and disease control.
   

2. Mental Health Crisis:  In recent years, mental health has surged as a societal concern, becoming the leading cause of sick leave and a central discussion topic among youth. With a 44% increase to $10.8 billion in the 2024 SAMHSA budget, it's clear that America is taking serious steps to address these growing problems.
   

3. Technological Developments: The rapid evolution of technology, particularly social media, has changed tremendously our human interaction. It has come at the cost of eroding our health and wellbeing, often driven by the addictive nature of dopamine releases triggered by social media notifications and interactions.

Virtual Nature Environments (VNEs)

Emerging as a promising innovation, Virtual Nature Environments (VNEs) may seem paradoxical at first but simulate natural settings to offer significant psychological and physiological benefits, similar to those derived from real nature. Studies using VR have shown improvements in mood and reductions in stress markers, suggesting that VNEs can be a practical tool for emotional and mental health, especially where access to natural settings is limited.

Immersive Soundscapes and the Nervous System Connection

Sound plays a pivotal role in how we perceive and interact with environments, extending beyond visual elements to encompass a multi-sensory experience. It's the immersive soundscapes that enrich the sensory experience and amplify the restorative effects. 

Drawing an analogy between the nervous system and the roots of a tree helps illuminate Olo's approach to health and technology. Just as roots anchor a tree and absorb essential nutrients for its survival, the nervous system acts as the foundation for sensory input and bodily regulation—essentially feeding and stabilizing our brain, the branches in this metaphor.

This perspective underpins the design of Olo's immersive somatic soundscapes and the overall app, which is intended not as a hook for distraction but as a tool for nervous system regulation, enhancing our inherent connection to our environment and ourselves. 

In 2017, we started a two-year project to study the therapeutic potential of these soundscapes. The qualitative results showed that people experienced physical relaxation and mental clarity, deepened body awareness, could relieve stress and pain, and deepened their sense of presence and emotional state. 

Last year, a University in Finland also conducted a study with one of Olo's immersive somatic soundscapes, and the results showed significant improvement in HRV and other parameters. The observed physiological and psychological benefits clearly demonstrate the potential of soundscapes as a therapeutic tool in both personal and professional settings.

Olo's Mission and Approach

Olo's mission is clear: to harness and enhance what inherently makes us human—our connection to nature and our community. Our app and initiatives are crafted to strengthen this connection, providing tools for nervous system regulation without detracting from the essential human experiences that ground and sustain us. By fostering deep, meaningful interactions with both our natural surroundings and each other, Olo aims to address the pressing challenges of our time, from environmental to mental health crises.

In embracing these concepts, Olo invites everyone to use technology not only as a bridge to nature but also as a pathway back to the fundamental human experiences that nurture and define us. Through this, we reaffirm our commitment to a sustainable, health-oriented future that values and protects what truly matters.

Happy Earth Day 2024

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