The fresh air, the chirping birds—we all know how a hike can put you in a peaceful state of mind. But a new study suggests that simply looking at nature has the same effect: Researchers at the University of Washington found that gazing out the window at trees helped slow the heart rates of people who had just completed a stressful task. A chronically elevated heart rate has been shown to raise your risk for cardiovascular problems. The next time you’re frazzled, find a window—or get outside—and admire the view.