Mental health came to the forefront of international conversation this past week after US gymnast Simone Biles announced that she would not be competing in her planned Olympic events due to reasons of mental health. The response to her decision, while generally in her favor, was swift and extreme on both sides. People seem to feel very strongly about mental health, whether they think that it needs more attention or that it has become overblown. OneNature recognizes that mental health is one of the most important aspects of well-being, and we applaud Simone for her bravery and honesty about her struggles. The purpose of this post, however, is not to talk about our national treasure Simone Biles, but to share our favorite prescription to some of the most common mental health diagnoses. If you haven’t guessed it – we’re talking about nature!
A multitude of studies show a positive correlation between psychological well-being and exposure to nature. Such a correlation makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint – our ancestors lived and worked on the land alongside wild animals. The innate affinity that humans feel toward nature and other living creatures is sometimes referred to as biophilia (literally, “love of life”). There is a trend in indoor spaces called biophilic design, which some workplaces have embraced in order to promote well-being and productivity in the office. This sense of belonging with nature underscores the fact that, at our core, we are nature. Some of the benefits of nature on mental health include improvements in mood, attention, and cognitive function, as well as reductions in depression, stress, and anxiety. While the results can be difficult to quantify, the positive impacts are undeniable.
The positive impacts of nature on well-being have been shown to have physical ramifications as well, which can then further increase the benefits to mental health. For example, research suggests that people are more likely to engage in outdoor recreational activity if they have easy access to natural environments, which increases their amount of physical exercise, which can also help to improve mood and reduce anxiety. Furthermore, the psychological benefits of exercise increase when performed in a natural environment as opposed to indoors. But what if you are unable to exercise, due to an injury for example? The physical and mental benefits of nature are even applicable to hospital patients. One study found a statistically significant difference in the rehabilitation of patients recovering from gall bladder surgery between those who had a window view with trees and those who had a view of a brick wall. On average, the patients with a brick wall view required stronger pain medication and longer hospital stays. Studies like this one explain why so many hospitals opt for a blue or green color palette – they are trying to mimic the healing effect of nature by using an aesthetic inspired by an ocean or terrestrial view. Yet another way that nature improves health is through sleep. Interaction with nature is associated with improved sleep, which is critical to both physical and mental health.
Interacting with wildlife (in a safe and respectful manner, of course) has been shown to have a similarly positive effect on mental health as natural landscapes, although we admittedly need much more research. In fact, filling this gap is central to the mission of OneNature. Much of the existing data relates to birds. The hobby of maintaining and watching an urban birdfeeder is associated with an increase in self-reported feelings of psychological well-being. Even just listening to birds can lead to heightened attention and reduced stress. One particular study conducted in US national parks distinguished which specific soundscapes, including birdsong, provided which types of benefits. The study found that bird sounds were the most effective at reducing stress and annoyance. Looking at mammals (non-companion), one UK study examined the impact of a 10-15 minute walk through a lemur enclosure where the lemurs had the freedom to hide in the abundant trees or approach visitors on the path if they chose to. The participants showed a statistically significant improvement in cortisol (the stress hormone) and mood levels. The most positive outcomes were positively correlated with lemur proximity and the number of lemurs seen, and the researchers attributed this to the participants feeling privileged upon being willfully approached by an animal.
To be very clear, no one on the OneNature team has a medical license, and we are in no way suggesting that spending more time in natural environments can or should replace prescribed treatments. If you are concerned about your mental health we encourage you to speak with a physician or counselor, and if you have a diagnosed condition your doctor’s recommended treatment should always be your primary course of action. What we are suggesting, however, is that there is an under-utilized value in nature regarding mental health struggles, especially as a preventative measure to situational disorders. The correlation between mental health and access to nature, both in terms of landscape and biodiversity, is strong enough to warrant that policymakers and urban planners take access to nature into account moving forward.
Sources:
A Synthesis of Health Benefits of Natural Sounds and Their Distribution in National Parks
A Walk on the Wild Side: How Interactions With Non-Companion Animals Might Help Reduce Stress
Doses of Neighborhood Nature: The Benefits for Mental Health of Living with Nature
Bringing the Outdoors In: The Benefits of Biophilia
Nature and Mental Health: An Ecosystem Service Perspective