Patterns in Nature, Power and Peace

“Patterns connect us from the inside out”

Maggie Macnab, author of the wonderful book, Design by Nature.

The natural world is filled with fractal patterns that relax us. It brings us back to our core – surrounded by fractals that we evolved with as members of the human race.

According to Psychology Today, being surrounded by fractals in nature can reduce our stress levels by 60%, as well as increasing blood flow to the parahippocampus and other areas of the brain that regulate emotions!

What is a fractal?

Cloud formations, our nervous systems, mountain ranges, coastlines, and even galaxies, all contain never-ending patterns known as fractals. A classic example of a fractal is a tree. A single branch is like a smaller version of the whole tree. Snowflakes are another example.

The benefits of simply looking at fractals

A research study led by Swedish researcher Caroline Hagerhall used EEG devices to measure brain waves while viewing fractal images. 

She found that the brain’s frontal lobes produce the feel-good alpha brain waves associated with a relaxed, awake state - even when exposed only to photos of fractals in nature!

Macnab tells us that when we perceive pattern, we already have an idea of what’s coming next because an expectation has been set up through repetition.

Patterns are all around us in nature and are also within us. We innately recognise them and they are universally relevant.

I find webs very soothing, and so amazing to look at – even though I am a bit of an arachnophobe (working on it though!). How about you, are there patterns you love and find calming?