The 3 day effect

Why Kabin Is A 3 DAY EXPERIENCE. HOW YOU REGAIN THE LOST PART OF YOURSELF ACCORDING TO SCIENCE.

Ken Sanders, a rare book seller based in Salt Lake City, has been an avid river guide for over 40 years. He noticed a significant shift in group dynamics on his rafting trips, particularly on the third day when the river became the new reality. The routine of setting up camp, gathering around the fire, and sharing meals created a bonding experience that dissolved the group’s previous realities.

Cognitive neuroscientist David Strayer, who teaches and conducts research at the University of Utah, resonated with Sanders’ observation. As an avid backpacker, Strayer also noticed that spending three days in nature resulted in clearer thoughts, relaxation, and increased creativity. He wanted to test what he called “the three-day effect,” a neural reboot that could enhance creativity.

In a 2012 study, Strayer and his colleagues administered tests to 28 backpackers before and after an Outward Bound trip. The participants performed 47% better in a word-test game that measures creative thinking and problem-solving immediately after the trip. Strayer believes that the break from the demands of everyday life allowed the attention network of the brain to rest, freeing up other areas responsible for sensory perception, empathy, and productive daydreaming.

The results of Strayer’s study caught the attention of other neuroscientists, such as Frank Ferraro III, a researcher at the University of Nebraska. Ferraro confirmed the creativity findings by giving a similar test to college students before and after a six-day canoeing trip in northern Minnesota.

Strayer’s advice is to disconnect from technology and spend three days in nature to experience the cognitive surge. The midline of the frontal cortex, where theta waves become active during demanding cognitive tasks, quiets down in nature. However, using a phone at the same time prevents this calming effect. Sanders agrees that it takes two days to wash away the veneer of civilisation, and on the third day, the new reality begins.