Spending time in nature, mental health, and wellbeing

Spending time in nature, mental health and wellbeing

Spending time in natural environments has been shown to be beneficial for mental health and wellbeing, with little being known about what factors influence these benefits. In this set or work we are interested in understanding what it is about being in nature that relates (and potentially impacts) individuals mental health and wellbeing.

To explore our research questions, we have teamed up with Wakehurst, Kew’s Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG), in a research collaboration as part of their Nature Unlocked programme. We are focusing on changes in feelings of wellbeing and mental health, and exploring what role connectedness to nature may play in these relationships when spending time in different natural habitats.

Our work with Wakehurst, Kew’s RBG, includes work with child groups who are visiting with their school classes and with adult visitors to the gardens.

Children ‘noticing’ nature

We are evaluating the impact of 3 differing habitats on children’s connectedness to nature, mental health and wellbeing. Approximately 1,000 children between 8 and 13 years old are participating in our research study where they will be assigned to walk through one of three different habitats. We will be assessing feelings of connectedness to nature, mental health, and wellbeing, as well as their representation of how they felt during their experience.

Visitors’ experience of walking through nature

We are asking 300 visitors (18+ years) to Wakehurst, Kew’s RBG, to get invoved in our research. They will take a walk through the gardens while we monitor their location and heart rate. We will also be exploring their feelings of connectedness to nature, mood and wellbeing.

To find out more about our work contact the research team.

Researchers: Prof Dawn Watling & Dr Aysha Bellamy

For information on other projects our lab is working on linked to nature connectedness, mental health, and wellbeing, click here.