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Grab Your Camera and Zoom In

Give nature a calming closeup

By

Staying Sharp

Updated September 03, 2026

Updated September 03, 2026

An inside look at a nautilus shell that is spiraling

KMNPhoto/iStock

Quick Win

Photographing nature’s many patterns may help you reduce stress and feel calmer.

Try This Today

Grab your camera or smartphone and head outdoors. Your yard, a park or a nature center are all great options.
Pay close attention to one aspect of nature. Zoom in on the petals of a flower or the pattern on a tree trunk.
Go from large to small. For example, shoot a field of wildflowers, then zoom in to a single flower, or from a forest to a tree’s trunk. Notice the differences.

Why

Being completely and happily absorbed in a task, like zooming in on flowers, is known as “flow.” It may foster creativity and emotional stability while lowering anxiety, according to a review of nine studies published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience in 2026. And time in nature has been linked to lower stress. The Global Council on Brain Health, in its report “Brain Health and Mental Well-Being,” recommends people “regularly appreciate and enjoy nature” as a way to support mental health.

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Legal Disclaimer: Staying Sharp, including all content and features, is offered for informational purposes and to educate users on brain health care and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Staying Sharp is based on a holistic, lifestyle approach to brain health that encourages users to incorporate into their daily lives activities that are associated with general wellness. Nothing in the service should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Features including the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins, Additional Tests, exercises, and challenges assess performance at a particular moment in time on certain discrete cognitive tasks. Staying Sharp games are intended for entertainment and recreational purposes only. Various factors may affect performance, including sleep, tiredness, focus, and other social, environmental, or emotional factors. Performance is not indicative of cognitive health and not predictive of future performance or medical conditions.

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