Beyond Exposure to Outdoor Nature

Most research exploring the psychological benefits of the natural environment has focused on direct exposure to the outdoors. However, people spend most of their time indoors, particularly in office buildings. Poor employee mental health has become one the most prevalent and costly occupational health issues. The integration of high quality environmental features (e.g., access to sunlight) in green-certified office buildings offers a superior work environment. These nature-based experiences are anticipated to provide beneficial outcomes to wellbeing.

Read more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6125719/

Science of Nature’s Effects

Contact with nature—whether outdoors or indoors (e.g., from plants or window views)—is an emerging field of research showing potential to help address some important public-health problems, said Gregory Bratman, Ph.D., in a recent lecture at NIH.

Read more: https://nccih.nih.gov/research/blog/Bratman-Describes-Science-of-Natures-Effects-on-Psychological-Health

Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing)

Current literature supports the comprehensive health benefits of exposure to nature and green environments on human systems. The aim of this state-of-the-art review is to elucidate empirical research conducted on the physiological and psychological effects of Shinrin-Yoku (or Forest Bathing) in transcontinental Japan and China.

Read more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5580555/

Benefits of Nature Experiences

Evidence that experiences of nature can benefit people has accumulated rapidly.

Read more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5580568/

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