Nature-based activities can improve mood and reduce anxiety

Date:
October 7, 2021
Source:
University of York
Summary:
Outdoor nature-based activities are effective for improving mental
health in adults, including those with pre-existing mental health
problems, a new study has found.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Outdoor nature-based activities are effective for improving mental health
in adults, including those with pre-existing mental health problems,
a new study has found.


==========================================================================
The research -- led by the University of York -- showed that taking part
in outdoor, nature-based activities led to improved mood, less anxiety,
and positive emotions.

The study found that activities lasting for 20 to 90 minutes, sustained
for over the course of 8 to 12 weeks, have the most positive outcomes
for improving mood and reducing anxiety.

Gardening and exercise were among the activities associated with mental
health benefits. Engaging in conservation activities was also reported
to make people feel better, as did 'forest bathing' (stopping in a forest
to take in the atmosphere).

Nature-based interventions (NBIs) support people to engage with nature
in a structured way to improve mental health.

As part of the study, researchers screened 14,321 NBI records and analysed
50 studies.



==========================================================================
Lead author of the study, Dr Peter Coventry from the Department of
Health Sciences, said: "We've known for some time that being in nature
is good for health and wellbeing, but our study reinforces the growing
evidence that doing things in nature is associated with large gains in
mental health.

"While doing these activities on your own is effective, among the studies
we reviewed it seems that doing them in groups led to greater gains in
mental health." However, the study found there was less evidence that
outdoor activities led to improved physical health. The research suggests
that there needs to be more appropriate ways to measure the short and longer-term impact of nature-based activities on physical health.

The paper argues there is a need for substantial, sustained investment in community and place-based solutions such as nature-based interventions,
which are likely to play important role in addressing a post-pandemic
surge in demand for mental health support.

"One of the key ideas that might explain why nature-based activities are
good for us is that they help to connect us with nature in meaningful
ways that go beyond passively viewing nature," Dr Coventry adds.

The research forms part of the new 'Environment and Health' research
theme, supported by the York Environmental Sustainability Institute
(YESI). As part of the same theme, Dr Coventry and co-author Professor
Piran White are now working with partners at the University of Central Lancashire to understand the health benefits of green social prescribing,
in a study funded by the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership.

Academics from the Department of Health Sciences, Department of
Environment and Geography, York Environmental Sustainability Institute
(YESI), Hull York Medical School and Stockholm Environment Institute at
York contributed to the study.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_York. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Peter A. Coventry, JenniferV.E. Brown, Jodi Pervin, Sally Brabyn,
Rachel
Pateman, Josefien Breedvelt, Simon Gilbody, Rachel Stancliffe,
Rosemary McEachan, PiranC.L. White. Nature-based outdoor
activities for mental and physical health: Systematic review and
meta-analysis. SSM - Population Health, 2021; 16: 100934 DOI:
10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100934 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211007122209.htm

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