A simple experiment with laboratory mice at Cornell University has yielded a profound insight for human psychology. Researchers found that mice exhibiting anxious behaviors in the lab showed a dramatic reversal of those fears after spending just one week in a natural, outdoor enclosure. The study, published in Current Biology, suggests that environment is a powerful modulator of mental state.
The key factor appears to be “agency,” or an animal’s ability to control its experiences through its own actions. “If you experience lots of different things that happen to you every day, you have a better way to calibrate whether or not something is scary or threatening,” explained senior author Michael Sheehan. Conversely, a sheltered life with limited experiences can heighten anxiety when facing the unfamiliar—a finding that directly echoes modern human concerns.
The researchers explicitly connected the mouse data to contemporary human life. “One of the things that could be causing a rise in anxiety in young people is that they’re living more sheltered lives,” Sheehan stated. The implication is clear: enriching one’s environment and seeking varied, self-directed experiences may be a fundamental, overlooked tool for managing anxiety and building resilience.