A Natural High :
The positive effects of nature on
physical health & mental well-being.
Holli-Anne Passmore & Dr. Andrew J. Howell
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February
26, 2013 Templates
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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Howell, A. J., & Passmore, H-A. (2013) The nature of happiness: Nature
affiliation and mental well-being. In C. L. M. Keyes (Ed.), Mental well-being:
International contributions to the study of positive mental health . (pp. 231257). Springer.
Howell, A. J., Passmore, H-A., & Buro, K. (2012). Meaning in nature: Meaning in
life as a mediator of the relationship between nature connectedness and wellbeing. Journal of Happiness Studies. DOI: 10.1007/s10902-012-9403-x
Howell, A. J., Dopko, R. L., Passmore, H-A., & Buro, K. (2011). Nature
connectedness: Associations with well-being and mindfulness. Personality and
Individual Differences, 51, 166-171.
http://macewan.academia.edu/HolliAnnePassmore
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
“Appreciating the beauty of a blossom,
the loveliness of a lilac, or the grace of a
gazelle are all ways in which people can,
in some small measure,
fill their daily lives with
evolutionarily inspired
epiphanies of pleasure.”
- Buss, 2000, p. 22
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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E. O. Wilson Biophilia (1984):
an evolved inclination among humans to
affiliate with nature
only recently in our evolutionary history have we
separated ourselves from a life immersed daily
in nature (Burns, 2005; Frumkin, 2001; Gullone, 2000)
dissociation between human biology and
modern urban life
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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within this context, affiliating with nature is
framed as a basic human need
humanity is increasingly
neglecting this
instinctual preference
or need
Source: farmpunk.blogspot.ca
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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more than half the world's population now lives
in an urban, rather than rural, environment
on average, CDNs spend almost 90% of their
time indoors (Environment Canada, 2005)
the average child in the USA spends over 7 hours
a day plugged in to some form of media
(Kaiser Family Foundation, 2010)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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“nature deficit disorder ”
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“nature starvation ”
(Louv, 2005)
(Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, 2010)
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only 55% of United Kingdom citizens over the
age of 35, and only 37% under the age of 35,
reported feeling “connected to the natural
world” (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, 2010)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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are we, both individually and as a species, poorer
because of this protracted divorce from nature?
evidence is mounting that
answers with a resounding
“yes ”
“We need the tonic of
wilderness.” - Thoreau, 1854
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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relationship between physical health and
engagement with, or proximity to, elements of
the natural world
“green exercise” - exercising while viewing
photos of nature – reduces blood pressure to a
greater degree than exercising in the absence of
nature photos or in the presence of less “green”
rural or urban photos (Pretty, as cited in Mind, 2007)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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longevity greater among senior citizens living in
areas with walkable green spaces
even when controlling for
age, sex, marital status,
socioeconomic status,
baseline physical activity
(Takano, Nakamura, & Watanabe, 2002)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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study in Holland of over 10,000 people who had
lived in the same neighbourhood for over 1 year
and degree of urbanicity had remained constant
people living in greener environment –
regardless of level of urbanicity – reported fewer
symptoms of ill health & greater perceived
general health
(de Vries, Verheij, Groenewegen, & Spreeuwenberg, 2003)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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“10% more greenspace in the living environment
= a decrease in the number of symptoms
comparable with a decrease in age by 5 years”
(de Vries et al., 2003, p. 7)
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study in England of 366,348 people found that
“populations that are exposed to the greenest
environments also have the lowest levels of
health inequality related to income deprivation”
(Mitchell & Popham, 2008, p. 1655)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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“There was a great joy—to be out in the air—for
I had not been outside in almost a month. ...
Some part of me came alive ... which had been
starved and died,
perhaps without my
knowing it.”
- Sacks, as quoted in Frumkin, 2001,
p. 236
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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sizeable body of accumulated research
demonstrating nature's restorative effects on
our well-being (Maller, Townsend, Pryor, Brown, & St. Leger, 2005)
stress reduction after nature excursions
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reduction in anger/agression after viewing
nature photos
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decreased post-operative anxiety viewing nature
photos of open-water view
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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Attention Restoration Theory (ART) links
exposure to nature with improved cognitive
functioning and well-being (Kaplan, R., 1993, 2001)
office workers with a nature-window view report
higher job satisfaction and fewer physical
ailments than workers with window view of
urban scene lacking natural elements
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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flowers and plants in a workplace increased
cognitive functioning >>
resulting in a 15% rise in
innovative ideas and more
creative, flexible
problem-solving compared
to control group without
nearby greenery
(Ulrich, as cited in Chalquist, 2009)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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building exposure to nature into components of
treatment plans for an array of diagnoses
ADD/ADHD: contact with nature systematically
related to a decrease in children's symptoms
green outdoor activities reduces symptoms
significantly more than the same activity in a
non-green setting (Taylor, Kuo, & Sullivan, 2001)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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therapeutic gardening / horticulture therapy
utilized in community based programs, geriatric
programs, prisons, developmental disabilities
programs, special education, burnout or
depression (Mattson, as cited in Frumkin, 2001; Grahn et al., 2007;
Stigsdotter & Grahn, 2003)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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innate urge to affiliate with other life forms
bonds with animals help reduce feelings of
isolation and fulfill our
social relatedness needs
(Podberscek, Paul, & Serpell, 2000;
Smolkovic, Fajfar, & Mlinaric, 2012;
Wood, Giles-Corti, & Bulsara, 2005)
Source: gregory colbert photography wabisabi-style.blogspot.ca
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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interactions with strangers more common when
people are accompanied by a dog when out
walking (McNicholas & Collis, 2000)
more pet owners than non-pet owners say
“hello” to their neighbours; giving and receiving
neighbourly favours more common among pet
owners than non-pet owners
(Wood et al., 2005)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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pets promoted social interactions within longstay psychiatric population (Hall & Malpus, 2000)
Animal-Assisted Therapy programs enhance
social relationships for older adults with
dementia, psychiatric in-patients, substance
abuse populations in group therapy (Hooker, Freeman,
& Stewart, 2002; Marr et al., 2000; Walsh, 2009; Wesley et al., 2009)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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“[As] psychologists we have heard but little
about gardens, about foiliage, about forests and
farmland ... Perhaps this resource for enhancing
health, happiness, and
wholeness has been
neglected long enough.”
- Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989, p. 189
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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mental health is more than the absence o f
mental illness (Keyes, 2005)
mental health is more than just restoring mental
health to a neutral baseline
true mental well-being is an “additive” state of
thriving and flourishing
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beyond “just getting by”
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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not just restorative, but also additive, effects of
nature on mental well-being
nature is the most common elicitor of the
experience of awe (Keltner & Haidt; 2003; Shiota, Keltner, &
Mossman, 2007)
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“find nearby nature” included as proven
strategy to increase positivity (Fredrickson, 2009, p. 177)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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involvement in nature identified as one of a
limited number of life style interventions (along
with exercise and volunteering) characterized as
well-evidenced for
improving well-being but
under utilized by
practicing psychologists
(Walsh, 2011)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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reliable and valid measures of nature
connectedness:
Connectedness to Nature Scale (Mayer & Frantz, 2004)
Nature Relatedness Scale (Nisbet, Zelenski, & Murphy, 2009)
Allo-Inclusive Identity Scale –
Nature Subscale (Leary, Tipsord, & Tate, 2008)
Environmental Identity Scale (Clayton, 2003)
Engagement with Beauty Scale – Nature
(Diessner, Solom, Frost, Parsons, & Davidson, 2008)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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associations between individual nature
connectedness and aspects of well-being such as:
psychological, social, emotional well-being
personal growth
meaning
engagement
spirituality
hope
(Herzog & Strevey, 2008; Howell, Dopko, Passmore, & Buro, 2011;
Howell, Passmore, & Buro, 2012; Nisbet, Zelenski, & Murphy, 2011;
Peterson, Ruch, Beerman, Park, & Seligman, 2007)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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these studies include not only undergraduate
university students, but government and
business executives as well
nature relatedness significantly associated with
positive affect, autonomy, personal growth,
purpose in life (Nisbet, Zelenski, & Murphy, 2011)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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eudaimonia: serenity, awe, contemplation,
empathy, “aliveness”, sense of freedom,
connectedness, feeling refreshed
more natural or wild environments ... [are]
associated with higher levels of eudaimonia
(Hinds & Sparks, 2011)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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“Climb the mountains and get their good
tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as
sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow
their own freshness into
you, and the storms their
own energy. ...”
- John Muir, 1901, p. 56
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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relating to nature is associated with greater
feelings of vitality (Ryan et al., 2010)
regardless of the influence of exercise and social
activity – greater vitality was experienced if
individuals were exposed to nature
simply being outdoors was not predictive of
vitality if contact with nature was not involved
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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cognitive aspect of relating to nature also has a
vitalizing effect (Nisbet et al ., 2011)
students enrolled in courses pertaining to the
environment reported higher levels of vitality
than did students in other courses
accounted for by maintaining stronger sense of
connectedness to nature
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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experimental approach involves manipulating
exposure to nature via nature video clips or
slides, plant-filled rooms, visualizations
involving nature settings,
virtual experiences of
nature, and of course,
actual experiences in
real nature settings
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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several experimental studies have explored
nature's effects on people's well-being
students randomly assigned to spend 15 minutes
in either nature condition or urban condition
nature condition boosted positive affect
compared to urban conditions (Mayer et al., 2009)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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students walking 50 minutes in either park or
downtown, urban setting >> mood increased in
nature-walk condition but not urban-walk
condition (Berman, Jonides, & Kaplan, 2008)
individuals with Major Depressive Disorder >>
cognitive functioning and positive mood
increased more for nature-walk condition than
urban-walk condition (Berman et al., 2012)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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school children whose classroom had been
beautified with plants reported greater feelings
of preference, comfort, and friendliness than
children in similar
classrooms with no plants
(Han, 2009)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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minimal exposure to nature can increase
endorsement of intrinsic goals such as closeness
and community (which is associated with greater
well-being), increase in generous behaviour
towards others, and decrease endorsement of
extrinsic goals such as fame and fortune (pursuit
of which is associated with lower well-being)
(Weinstein, Przybylski, & Ryan, 2009)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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effects were shown after minimal exposure to
nature:
viewing 4 slides for 2 min. of either nature or
built environment
5-minute rest period in plant-laden or plant-free
laboratory
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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research findings demonstrate that nature
affiliation and exposure to elements of the
natural world positively affects our well-being in
several ways by boosting:
cognitive functioning,
positive mood,
feelings of ecstasy & awe,
generosity,
vitality
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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given the establishment of relationships
between nature affiliation and well-being,
natural next step for research is to study
mediators and moderators of this relationship
mediator: what is the reason for the relationship
moderator: what conditions increase or decrease
this effect
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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meaning in life as a mediator of the
nature – well-being relationship
historical and literary figures have often
credited nature with providing a sense of
cohesiveness, meaning, and purpose to their
lives
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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“Here were imponderable processes and forces
of the cosmos, harmonious and soundless. ... It
was enough to catch that rhythm, momentarily
to be myself a part of it. ...
The conviction came that ...
there must be a purpose in
the whole and that man
was part of that whole.”
- Admiral Byrd, 1934
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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empirical support for finding meaning in nature
experiences in nature reported as a significant
source of meaning for adults
(O'Connor & Chamberlain, 1996; Reker & Woo, 2011)
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use of nature analogies & embedding
experiences in larger natural story of life helps
bestow meaning when going through change
(Berger & McLeod, 2006)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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recent correlational study demonstrating that
those who are highly nature affiliated derive a
sense of meaningful existence in life from their
closeness with nature, and that this in turn
boosts well-being (Howell, Passmore, & Buro, 2012)
this relationship is particularly important given
that meaning in life is one of the strongest
predictors of well-being
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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spirituality and nature affiliation intertwined
validated measures of
spirituality commonly
include items relating
to nature
God spelled as “n-a-t-u-r-e”
- Frank Lloyd Wright
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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atheists agreed with statements which measured
aspects of spirituality as “respect for nature” to
the same extent as did Catholics and Buddhists
(Caldwell-Harris, Wilson, LoTempo, & Beit-Hallahmi, 2008)
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close to 46% of backpackers visiting a Canadian
national park reported that “the opportunity to
reflect on spiritual values” played an important
part in their decision to spend time in the back
country (Brayley & Fox, as cited in Heintzman, 2003)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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“spirituality and nature are inextricably linked
in the public's mind” - Douglas Todd, 2008
for both the spiritual but not religious,
as well as for the traditionally religious
for Saint Francis of Assisi, his relatedness to
nature helped him “to grow more fully into the
mystery of God” - Duddy, 2012
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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both religion and nature have been described as
essential needs or instinctual drives
“because we are so made”
- Leuba, 1901, p. 573
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biophilia may be difficult
to tease apart from
spirituality - Soule, 1993
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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the thread of hope arises from, and is
interwoven with, both spirituality and nature
seeking salvation in spiritual beliefs and
bonding with the eternal cycles of nature as
ways to increase hope - Lifton, as cited in Scioli, 2007
“nature expands to embrace infinite
possibilities” - Kalnin, 2008, p. 15
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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relationship between nature and well-being may
also be mediated by the extent to which
important basic psychological needs are met
through contact with nature (see also Clayton, 2003)
involvement with nature may satisfy
psychological nutriment needs of autonomy,
competence, relatedness set forth in SelfDetermination Theory (Kellert, 1997; Deci & Ryan, 2000)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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outdoor educational programs and urban
gardening capitalize on the unlimited
opportunities nature provides for individuals to
demonstrate
personal competencies
(Newes & Bandoroff, 2004;
Hunter, 2006)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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using local nature excursions to teach children a
myriad of skills (Sobel, 1998)
encourage children to “pay attention” rather
than warning them to “be careful” - Louv, 2005
feelings of vitality that nature inspires spills
over to other areas of our life, inspiring us to
tackle new projects >> build competencies
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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with regard to the psychological nutriment of
autonomy -- nature has long been associated
with spontaneity, self-organizing processes, and
freedom (for reviews see Norton, 1986; Ridder, 2005; Sessions, 1992)
nature inspired autonomy—in literature and in
real life
no expectations—we can just “be”
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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experiences with nature afford us a greater
sense of relatedness
“relatedness comes from
the opportunity to feel
like a part of a
functioning system”
- Clayton, 2003, p. 50
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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“when practitioners think of how to create
settings to help clients feel better, they may
want to ... think of how people need to feel a
sense of belonging to something larger than
themselves and that this need may be fulfilled
through a sense of belonging or connectedness
to the natural world”
- Mayer, Frantz, Bruehlman-Senecal, & Dolliver, 2009, p. 635
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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when immersed in a natural environment, an
“individual's sense of separateness of self
dissolves” and individuals report feeling more
connected (Terhaar, 2009, p. 312)
in multiple studies utilizing multiple measures,
social well-being has been shown to correlate
significantly with nature affiliation
(Howell, Dopko, Passmore, & Buro, 2011; Howell, Passmore, & Buro, 2012)
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013
Effects of nature on well-being
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nature affiliation – well-being relationship may
be mediated by increased social connectedness
amount of green space in
neighbourhoods is
correlated with
strength of social ties
(Kuo, 2003; Kuo, Sullivan, Coley, &
Brunson, 1998; Sommer, 2003;
Sullivan, Kuo, & Depooter, 2004)
Source: museum.gov.ns.ca/hsvds-sponsorship.php
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Effects of nature on well-being
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in particular, tree-planting programs in urban
areas enhance social connectedness (Sommer, 2003)
even within built environments, brief exposure
to natural elements increases social
connectedness >> in a shopping mall, when the
water fountain was runnng, people were more
likely to interact with each other
(Ruso & Atzwanger, 2003)
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Effects of nature on well-being
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nature affiliation – well-being relationship may
be mediated by improved physical functioning
as described previously, evidence from largescale cohort studies that exposure to green
spaces is associated with many indicators of
physical health
(de Vries, et al, 2003; Maas et al., 2006; Mitchell & Popham, 2008;
Takano et al., 2002)
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Effects of nature on well-being
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there may also be moderators that strengthen or
weaken the relationship between nature
affiliation and well-being
extent to which nature
affiliation is shared within
one's immediate social
group - cultures differ in
extent they value nature
Source: shinji watanabe photographs
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Effects of nature on well-being
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most First Nations' cultures place a high value
on nature affiliation
deeply rooted in the cultures of Norway and
Sweden is concept of friluftsliv (free-air life):
freedom in nature and spiritual connectedness
with the landscape
(Gelter, 2000, p. 78; Sandell & Sorlin, as cited in Gelter, 2000, p. 79)
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Effects of nature on well-being
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mindfulness may also moderate (strengthen or
weaken) the nature affiliation—well-being
relationship
enhanced sensory impact of experiences in
nature fostered by mindfulness may strengthen
the impact of nature on well-being
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Effects of nature on well-being
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“He goes into a field or woodland and closes his
mind to everything but that time and place, so
that life around him presses in on all the senses
and small details grow in
significance.” - Wilson, 1984
correlation between
nature affiliation and
mindfulness (Howell et al., 2011)
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Effects of nature on well-being
Source: Uruguay's Tree People, Pablo S. Herrero & David de la Mano
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Effects of nature on well-being
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technologically-mediated experiences of nature
differ from experiences of direct exposure to the
natural world in their effect on our health and
well-being
(Kahn, Friedman, Alexander, Freier, &
Collert, 2005; Kahn, Friedman,
Perez-Granadoes, & Freier, 2006;
Kahn, Severson, & Ruckert, 2009;
Levi & Kocher, 1999; Melson et al.,
2005; Valtchanov et al., 2010;
Valtchanov & Ellard, 2010)
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Effects of nature on well-being
mentally stressed participants
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glass window of nature view OR
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plasma screen view of same nature scene OR
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blank wall
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heart-rate recovery time fastest in glass windownature condition
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no difference between plasma screen-nature and
blank wall conditions (Kahn et al., 2008)
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Effects of nature on well-being
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findings consistent with other similar studies
(for a review see: Kahn, Severson, & Ruckert, 2009)

important to address if technological
adaptations to nature experiences are
impoverished and if such interactions are
“shifting the very baseline of what we can
recognize as impoverishment”
(Kahn et al., 2008, p. 198)
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Effects of nature on well-being
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we cannot stop the progression of technological
innovation, nor should we necessarily want to
however, “quality of life
isn't measured only by
what we gain, but also by
what we trade it for ”
- Louv, 2005, p. 59
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Effects of nature on well-being
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we need to recognize the limitations of
technology as research demonstrates
we need “a new definition of Progress, one that
is more elegant and sophisticated, one that
values our heritage, both natural and human ”
- Robert Bateman, 2000, p. ix
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Effects of nature on well-being
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Genuine Progress Index (GPI)
(GPI Atlantic, 2007)
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Gross National Happiness (GNH)
(Kavanagh, 2004)

the recognition that our physical and mental
well-being are impacted by the environment in
which we live
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Effects of nature on well-being
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“inequality of access to green space should be
addressed as a human rights, social justice and
discrimination issue”
(MIND Institute, 2007)
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Effects of nature on well-being
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national well-being accounts that will “help
determine where, what type, and how much
nature is necessary for optimal functioning of
society”
(Diener, Kesebir, & Lucas, 2008)
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Effects of nature on well-being
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set of guidelines “Daily Nature Exposure”
analagous to Canada's Food Guide for daily
recommended allowances of vitamins etc.
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Effects of nature on well-being
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“the key for long lasting changes to well-being is
to engage in activities that provide small and
frequent [well-being] boosts ”
- Mochon, Norton, & Ariely, 2008, p. 641
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Effects of nature on well-being
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we suggest that connecting with nature in a
variety of ways can enrich the journey of life
along a path of happiness,
vitality, and meaning
“In every walk with nature
one receives far more
than he seeks.”
- John Muir, 1838-1914
Source: blog.spiredenver.com/?p=1169z
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Effects of nature on well-being
Source: Uruguay's Tree People, Pablo S. Herrero & David de la Mano
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Questions? / Comments?
A Natural High :
The positive effects of nature on
physical health & mental well-being.
Holli-Anne Passmore
hap@shaw.ca http://macewan.academia.edu/HolliAnnePassmore
FNIHB Telehealth Speaker Series,Free
February
26, 2013 Templates
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Holli-Anne Passmore & Andrew J. Howell | Grant MacEwan University – Department of Psychology | hap@shaw.ca | FNIHB THSS 2013