Scientists find that immersion in nature restores mental acuity. Two experiments show that workers who take their breaks in a natural setting return to their jobs more rested, relaxed and mentally sharper than those who take their breaks in artificial, man-made environments. In one experiment, psychologists found that looking through a window at real natural settings was far superior to looking at nature images, even images shown on HD TV. In another study, they found that taking a walk on a nature trail was much more restorative than walking on a city street. Learn more about the studies at Newsweek.

If looking through a window or walking a trail restores one’s mind, imagine what a multi-day trip down a wild river can do for you.