Sometimes it feels like we’re getting more stressed every day. Sometimes it begins first thing in the morning and doesn’t quit ’til bedtime.
Stress comes in all flavours – personal, psychological, medical or financial to name a few. Stress creates its own timelines. We may be stressed right now in a traffic jam or on hold on a call. Stress can be persistent with a situation at work or home, for example. The question we all ask is: what can I do about it? Or, can I do anything to change the level of stress I experience?
“There is mounting evidence, from dozens and dozens of researchers, that nature has benefits for both physical and psychological human well-being,” says Lisa Nisbet, PhD, a psychologist at Trent University in Ontario, Canada, who studies connectedness to nature. “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.”
What do we mean by nature?
Not so long ago, we associated “Nature” with areas of wilderness untouched by humans. We limited nature to remote and inaccessible areas: mountains, lakes, jungles, rivers, grasslands, arctic areas and forests. This view promoted the idea that there was a “pure version of nature” that didn’t include humans. This fictional thinking came from believing that humans were unconnected to nature or were somehow above nature.
Today, there are still remote areas of our planet scarcely visited or affected by humans. They contain great biodiversity of plants, animals and insects within their unique climates. Our idea of nature, however, is no longer limited to these areas with little or no human contact. Nature is everything in the natural physical environment. Our view of nature today has expanded to include habitats that humans occupy such as back yards, parks and green spaces. This flows from realizing that we humans are part of nature and, as a result, our created spaces are also part of nature.
And research points out that this sense of “connectedness” – of feeling part of nature – is crucial to possessing feelings of wellness in our stressed-out lives.
I was amazed to see the growing body of science that’s discovering the many benefits that accompany simply viewing images of nature.
In April 2024 The Canadian Psychological Association released a fact sheet listing how nature benefits our mental health. It says that nature-based experiences can improve our well-being in all areas of our body and mind – cognitive, psychological and physical.
It says that, we can experience and draw benefits from nature in many ways including being outdoors, observing nature through windows, watching nature videos, listening to nature sounds or looking at photographs of nature. When we observe how changes in nature are constant, it can help build resilience with personal challenges. Each way of viewing has its benefits.
Nature images : Reduce stress
Studies have consistently shown that viewing nature, whether in person or through images, can reduce stress and anxiety.
Nature images : Similar benefits as outdoor experiences of nature
Even viewing images of nature can provide some of the same benefits as being in nature.
Nature images : Accessible to All
Nature images can be a valuable tool for individuals with limited access to real nature, such as elderly individuals in nursing homes or hospital patients.
Nature images : Help you relax
Nature reduces symptoms of anxiety, physical stress, and heart rate. It also helps us feel more relaxed (Shuda et al., 2020).
Nature images : Help restore attention
Our attention is a limited resource and it can become ‘fatigued’ throughout the day. Nature has been shown to restore attention and our ability to concentrate (Mason et al., 2022). Nature has also been found to reduce symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (Faber Taylor & Kuo, 2009).
Nature images : Improve mood
Nature improves mood and makes people feel happier (Neill et al., 2019). There is evidence that nature exposure can improve symptoms of depression (Berman et al, 2012).
Nature images : Help us feel calm
Nature helps us feel calmer and less irritable. This means that we are better able to control our impulses (Beute & de Kort, 2014; Weeland et al., 2019).
Nature images : Increase generosity and connection to others
Nature tends to increase generosity, cooperation, and our sense of social connection (Arbuthnott, 2023; Weinstein et al., 2009).
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