Apple CEO Tim Cook tells users: Put down your phones, enjoy nature

Even a tech CEO understands the importance of the outdoors.

In an interview on Good Morning America with Michael Strahan on March 17, Apple CEO Tim Cook dished out advice that, initially, seemed counterproductive to his tech empire. 

"I don't want people using them too much," Cook said when asked what worries him about Apple products' impact on society. 

"I don't want people looking at the smartphone more than they're looking in someone's eyes, as if they're just scrolling endlessly. This is not the way you want to spend your day. Go out and spend it in nature," Cook continued.

Cook's perspective on the role of technology in people's lives was again apparent in his opinion on artificial intelligence.

Asked by Strahan for his thoughts on AI, the tech CEO said, "I think AI is so profound and can be so positive. But technology doesn't want to be good and it doesn't want to be bad. It's in the hands of the user and the hands of the inventor."

According to Dr. Elizabeth Nisbet, associate professor of psychology at Trent University, Canada, "There is mounting evidence, from dozens and dozens of researchers, that nature has benefits for both physical and psychological human wellbeing."

"You can boost your mood just by walking in nature, even in urban nature. And the sense of connection you have with the natural world seems to contribute to happiness even when you're not physically immersed in nature," Nisbet added.  

A 2019 review conducted by University of Chicago psychologist Dr. Marc Berman and student Kathryn Schertz found evidence of the cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. According to them, having green spaces near schools improve children's cognitive development. 

“Green views near children’s homes promote self-control behaviors. Adults in neighborhoods with more green space showed better attentional functions. Those exposed to natural environments have improved working memory, cognitive flexibility and attentional control," wrote Berman and Schertz in their paper.