Benefits of Nature Experiences
Examples of psychological benefits:
- Increased joy
- Increased awe
- Increased curiosity
- Increased sense of place
- Increased sense of belonging
- Increased sense of connection
- Increased spiritual well-being
- Reduced loneliness
- Reduced anxiety
- Reduced depression
- Reduced rumination
- Reduced aggression
- Reduced suicidal ideation
Examples of cognitive benefits:
- Restored attention and ability to focus
- Increased engagement
- Improved problem solving
- Increased creativity
- Improved memory
- Improved academic performance
Examples of physiological or physical benefits:
- Reduced stress (such as lowered cortisol levels)
- Decreased sympathetic nervous system activity (“fight or flight”)
- Increased parasympathetic nervous system activity (“rest and digest”)
- Increased physical activity
- Improved eyesight
- Improved immune function
- Diversified microbiome, thus decreased chronic inflammatory illnesses
Examples of social benefits:
- Increased sense of connection (via oxytocin release)
- Shared experience of novelty
- Increased sense of nature as community
- Increased conservation ethic
- Contribution to science, such as through community or crowd-sourced science
People vary in their responses to nature due to their genetics and past experiences. However, in general, increased nature experiences can increase the benefits you receive, which increases your desire for nature experiences in a positive feedback loop.
For more information, check out some of the sources on the Research page.