Chapter 1

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Introduction of the Study

I. INTRODUCTION

Mental health disorders are a major public health concern

that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the World

Health Organization, depression and anxiety disorders are among

the leading causes of disability and years lived with disability

globally. While pharmacological and psychotherapeutic

interventions are the mainstay of treatment, research has shown

that non-pharmacological approaches can also have a significant

impact on mental health and well-being. One such approach is the

use of nature-based interventions.

Nature has long been recognized as having therapeutic effects

on human health and well-being. Many studies have shown that

spending time in nature can improve mood, reduce stress, and

increase cognitive function(Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989; Kaplan, 1995).

Modern research has provided further evidence for the mechanisms

underlying these effects, highlighting attention restoration,

stress reduction, and biophilia theories (Bratman et al., 2015).

Moreover, recent studies have shown that exposure to nature can

reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and improve social

cohesion and loneliness (Van den Berg et al., 2020). However,

despite these findings, many people still spend the majority of

their time indoors and disconnected from nature.

These findings suggest that nature-based interventions may

be a promising approach for mental health promotion and

treatment. However, more research is needed to determine the

optimal type, dose, and duration of nature exposure for various

mental health conditions, as well as to explore the cultural and

social factors that may influence the effectiveness of nature-

based interventions (Richardson et al., 2016).

Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the

benefits of nature for mental health and well-being.

Specifically, this study will examine the existing literature on

the therapeutic effects of nature, with a focus on its impact on

depression, anxiety, stress, and cognitive function. By

synthesizing the findings of previous research, this study aims

to provide a comprehensive understanding of the benefits of

nature for mental health and well-being.

II. Rational

Research has shown that spending time in nature can have a

positive impact on mental health and well-being. For example,

exposure to nature can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety,

improve mood, and enhance cognitive function. However, despite

these findings, many people still spend the majority of their

time indoors and disconnected from nature. Therefore, it is

important to further explore the benefits of nature and the

mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects. By doing so, we

can gain a better understanding of how to incorporate nature-

based interventions into mental health treatment and promotion.

III. Thesis Statement

The aim of this study is to examine the therapeutic benefits

of nature for mental health and well-being by synthesizing the

existing literature and investigating the underlying mechanisms,

in order to provide insights into the potential applications of

nature-based interventions in mental health promotion and

treatment.

Statement of the problem

Despite the growing body of research on the therapeutic

benefits of nature for mental health and well-being, there is

still a need for a comprehensive understanding of the underlying

mechanisms and the optimal ways to apply nature-based

interventions in mental health promotion and treatment. While

some studies have highlighted the restorative and stress-reducing

effects of nature exposure, others have explored the potential of

nature-based interventions for reducing symptoms of depression

and anxiety, improving social cohesion, and enhancing cognitive

performance. However, there is still a lack of consensus on the

most effective type, dose, and duration of nature exposure for

various mental health conditions, as well as the cultural and

social factors that may influence the effectiveness of such

interventions. Therefore, the problem addressed by this study is

to explore the therapeutic benefits of nature for mental health

and well-being, and to provide insights into the potential

applications of nature-based interventions in promoting and

treating mental health issues.

Objectives of the study

The objectives of this study are to explore the potential

benefits of nature for mental health and well-being

. Specifically, this study seeks to examine the physical,

psychological and social benefits of spending time in nature,

such as stress relief and improved concentration, and the ways in

which access to nature is associated with improved mental health

outcomes. Furthermore, this study will look at how environmental

features and characteristics shape the psychological experiences

of individuals engaging in nature-based activities. By

understanding how nature can benefit mental health and wellbeing,

this study can provide valuable insight into how people can take

advantage of nature’s many therapeutic benefits.

 Definition of Terms

1. Therapeutic effect - Spending time in nature has been found

to help with mental health problems such as anxiety and

depression. For example it helps individuals suffering from

mental health conditions like attention disorders, mood

disorders, and different forms of anxiety.

2. Biophilia theories - Can have a positive impact on well-

being by affecting three of our mind-body systems:

physiological (eg. it reduces anxiety), psychological (eg.

it reduces anger and fear) and cognitive functions (eg. it

improves creativity and boosts mood.

3. Nature exposure - Spending time in nature, whether it's a

park, forest, or beach, has been shown to have a positive

impact on mental health and well-being.

4. Outdoor physical activity - Engaging in physical activity in

natural environments, such as hiking, running, or cycling,

can have even greater benefits for mental health and well-

being.

5. Mindfulness - Practicing mindfulness in nature, such as

through meditation or mindful walking, can help reduce

stress and promote relaxation.

6. Horticulture therapy - This involves engaging in gardening

or other nature-based activities to improve mental health

and well-being.
 7. Animal-assisted therapy - Interacting with animals, such as

therapy dogs or horses, in natural settings can also have

therapeutic benefits.

Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

The biophilia theory, which suggests that humans have an innate

connection to nature, forms the basis of this study's theoretical

framework. The theory proposes that being in nature can have a

positive impact on physical, psychological, and emotional well-

being.Moreover, environmental psychology theory highlights the

importance of the physical environment on an individual's well-

being, including exposure to natural environments. The Attention

Restoration Theory (ART) suggests that natural environments can

provide a restorative experience, allowing individuals to

replenish their mental resources.The Transactional Model of

Stress and Coping (TMSC) is also relevant to this study, as it

suggests that individuals are affected by their environment and

may use coping mechanisms to manage stressors. In the context of

nature exposure, the TMSC may explain how spending time in nature

can be a coping mechanism for individuals experiencing mental

health issues.Additionally, Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)

proposes that individuals can learn from observing and modeling

others. In the context of this study, SCT may explain how

individuals can learn to appreciate the benefits of nature

exposure by observing others' positive experiences and attitudes

towards nature.By considering these theoretical frameworks, this

study aims to explore the potential benefits of nature exposure

for mental health and well-being. It will examine how spending

time in nature affects various mental health conditions,

including anxiety and depression, and identify the non-

pharmacological interventions that can be used to improve mental

health outcomes.

Scope and Delimitation of the study

The scope of this study on Exploring the Benefits of Nature for

Mental Health and Well-Being focuses on the potential therapeutic

effects of non-pharmacological interventions, such as nature

exposure, outdoor physical activity, mindfulness, horticulture

therapy, and animal-assisted therapy, on individuals with mental

health conditions such as anxiety, depression, attention

disorders, mood disorders, and different forms of anxiety.

This study aims to gather relevant information and insights from

existing literature and studies on the subject matter. The data

collected will be limited to published articles and studies in

English language journals, as well as official publications from

reputable sources such as government agencies, mental health

organizations, and academic institutions.

The delimitations of this study include the following:

1. The study will not delve into the specific physiological and

neurological mechanisms that underlie the therapeutic

effects of nature exposure and other non-pharmacological

interventions on mental health and well-being.

2. The study will not include the examination of

pharmacological interventions for mental health conditions.

3. The study will not cover the cost-benefit analysis or

feasibility of implementing non-pharmacological

interventions for mental health conditions.

REFERENCES

Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., Hahn, K. S., Daily, G. C., &

Gross, J. J. (2015). Nature experience reduces rumination and

subgenual prefrontal cortex activation. Proceedings of the

National Academy of Sciences, 112(28), 8567-8572.

Hartig, T., Evans, G. W., Jamner, L. D., Davis, D. S., &

Gärling, T. (2003). Tracking restoration in natural and urban

field settings. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 23(2), 109-

123.

Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The cognitive

benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science,

19(12), 1207-1212.

Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The experience of nature: A

psychological perspective. Cambridge University Press.

Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an

integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology,

15(3), 169-182.

Richardson, M., McEwan, K., Maratos, F., & Sheffield, D. (2016).

Joy and calm: How an evolutionary functional model of affect

regulation informs positive emotions in nature. Evolutionary

Psychological Science, 2(4), 241-259.

Van den Berg, M., van Poppel, M., van Kamp, I., Andrusaityte,

S., Balseviciene, B., Cirach, M., ... & Gidlow, C. (2020). Do

physical activity, social cohesion, and loneliness mediate the

association between time spent visiting green space and mental

health? Environment international, 134, 105188.

World Health Organization. (2017). Depression and Other Common

Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Retrieved from

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/depression-global-

health-estimates

Kuo, M. (2015). How might contact with nature promote human

health? Promising mechanisms and a possible central pathway.

Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 1093. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01093

Kerr, J., Fujiyama, H., Sugano, A., & Okamura, T. (2013).

Psychological Benefits of Walking through Forest Areas.

Environment and Behavior, 45(2), 152-168.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916512444633

Chapter 2

Review of Related Literature

 Numerous studies have shown the potential benefits of

nature exposure for mental health and well-being. One theoretical

framework that has been proposed to explain these benefits is

biophilia theory. Biophilia theory suggests that humans have an

innate desire to connect with nature, and that this connection

can have positive effects on mental health and well-being

(Kellert & Wilson, 1993).

Several studies have specifically investigated the effects

of nature exposure on anxiety and depression. A study by Bratman

et al. (2015) found that individuals who took a 90-minute walk in

a natural environment showed decreased activity in the prefrontal

cortex, a brain region associated with rumination (a common

feature of depression and anxiety), compared to those who walked

in an urban environment. Another study by Berman et al. (2012)

found that participants who viewed pictures of nature scenes had

improved mood and cognitive function compared to those who viewed

pictures of urban scenes.

Outdoor physical activity is another non-pharmacological

intervention that has been shown to have significant benefits for

mental health and well-being. A study by Barton and Pretty (2010)

found that individuals who engaged in physical activity in

natural environments reported greater feelings of revitalization

and positive engagement, and lower levels of tension, confusion,

anger, and depression, compared to those who engaged in physical

activity in indoor or urban environments.

Mindfulness, which involves bringing one's attention to

the present moment, has also been shown to have benefits for

mental health and well-being. A study by Bratman et al. (2019)

found that individuals who engaged in a brief nature-based

mindfulness intervention showed reductions in negative affect and

increased positive affect compared to those who engaged in a non-

nature-based mindfulness intervention.

Horticultural therapy, which involves engaging in

gardening or other nature-based activities, has also been shown

to have positive effects on mental health and well-being. A

systematic review by Gonzalez et al. (2019) found that

horticultural therapy can improve symptoms of depression,

anxiety, and stress, and improve overall well-being.

Animal-assisted therapy is another non-pharmacological

intervention that has been shown to have therapeutic benefits. A

study by Souter and Miller (2007) found that individuals who

interacted with therapy dogs showed decreased anxiety and

improved mood compared to those who did not interact with dogs.

Overall, the literature suggests that nature exposure and

other non-pharmacological interventions can have significant

benefits for mental health and well-being. However, more research

is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying these

effects and to develop effective interventions that can be

implemented on a larger scale.

Nature has a myriad of beneficial impacts on the physical,

mental, and social well-being of children and adolescents.

Tillmann, S., Tobin, D., Avison, W., & Gilliland, J. (2018,

January 27) a study that seeks to explore how availability,

exposure to, and engagement with nature influences the mental

health of youngsters. They used ten academic databases to

systematically search and identify primary research papers in

English or French from 1990 to 1 March 2017.Papers were included

for review based on their incorporation of nature, children and

teenagers (0–18 years), quantitative results and focus on mental

health.

After careful evaluation, 35 papers were chosen for review.

The majority of these studies highlighted emotional wellbeing and

attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder; other explored aspects

such as overall mental health, self-esteem, stress levels,

resilience, depression and quality of life.

Additionally, approximately half suggested a significant

positive correlation between nature and mental health outcomes

while the remaining studies yielded no statistical significance..

Nonetheless, it is safe to say that nature can have a positive

effect on young people’s mental health.

Barton, J., & Pretty, J. (2010, March 25) conducted a study

using meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of green exercise on 1252

participants in 10 UK studies. Subgroup analyses revealed that self-

esteem improved significantly (d = 0.46, CI 0.34−0.59, p < 0.00001), as

did mood (d = 0.54, CI 0.38−0.69, p < 0.00001). Surprisingly, even brief

exposures to green environments offered large benefits that

diminished but still remained positive with greater intensity and

duration.

It was determined that every type of green environment

had a positive impact on both self-esteem and mood. While men and

women experienced similar improvements in self-esteem, male

individuals were found to benefit more from green exercise when

it came to mood.

Examining age groups further revealed that while the

youngest performed best in terms of self-esteem, the least

improvement was observed among the young and old for mood.

Unsurprisingly, the biggest transformation was seen in mental

health patients in terms of their self-esteem.

 This research unequivocally confirms that natural

settings provide an invaluable service to our health and overall

well-being.

REFERENCES
Tillmann, S., Tobin, D., Avison, W., & Gilliland, J. (2018,

January 27). Mental health benefits of interactions with nature

in children and teenagers: A systematic review. BMJ Journals.

https://jech.bmj.com/content/72/10/958.info

Barton, J., & Pretty, J. (2010, March 25). What is the Best Dose

of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health? A

Multi-Study Analysis. ACS Publications.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es903183r

Kuo, M. (2015). How might contact with nature promote human

health? Promising mechanisms and a possible central pathway.

Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 1093.

Pretty, J., Peacock, J., Sellens, M., & Griffin, M. (2005). The

mental and physical health outcomes of green exercise.

International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 15(5),

319-337.

Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., Hahn, K. S., Daily, G. C., &

Gross, J. J. (2015). Nature experience reduces rumination and

subgenual prefrontal cortex activation. Proceedings of the

National Academy of Sciences, 112(28), 8567-8572.

Van den Berg, A. E., & Custers, M. H. (2011). Gardening promotes

neuroendocrine and affective restoration from stress. Journal of

Health Psychology, 16(1), 3-11.

Hansen, M. M., Jones, R., & Tocchini, K. (2017). Shinrin-yoku

(forest bathing) and nature therapy: A state-of-the-art review.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public

Health, 14(8), 851.

Ulrich, R. S. (1984). View through a window may influence

recovery from surgery. Science, 224(4647), 420-421.