Each month our editorial team sifts through hundreds of papers and curates notable findings—for practitioners and informed readers who want to stay current with the evidence. Subscribe to the monthly Research Digest for expert analysis and concise summaries of key papers.
11 papers
This review sums up research showing that being in or exposed to nature is linked to better mental functioning and mood. Lab and field experiments find short-term improvements in stress and mood from nature sights, sounds, and walks in green places. Population studies also find people living near green or…
This meta-analysis of observational studies found that higher exposure to green space was linked with slightly lower odds of depression and possibly lower odds of anxiety. A 10% increase in the amount of green space was associated with lower odds of depression (OR 0.963; 95% CI 0.948–0.979) and with a…
This review brings together reports from 38 papers (published 1994–2019) describing experiences of 322 practitioners and 163 clients who did talking therapy in outdoor natural spaces. The authors used a mixed-method thematic synthesis to build a framework of themes about how outdoor work is done, what practical steps are needed,…
There is increasing evidence that exposure to plants and green space, and particularly to gardening, is beneficial to mental and physical health, and so could reduce the pressure on NHS services. Health professionals should therefore encourage their patients to make use of green space and to work in gardens, and…
Researchers followed 37 people who attended a one-week residential wellness retreat in rural Queensland. They measured many health and well-being outcomes on arrival, at departure, and again 6 weeks later (17 people were followed at 6 weeks). After one week, participants showed statistically significant improvements in most measures, including weight,…
This review says work-related stress has grown and harms both workers (for example, depression and anxiety) and companies (for example, more absenteeism and lower productivity). It describes two prevention approaches: individual approaches that teach coping and resilience (including mindfulness) and organizational changes that alter work conditions (including adding natural elements).…
This paper is a conceptual review about using outdoor, nature-based interventions (NBIs) to help prevent and treat depression. It does not present new trial data but argues we need to know the specific “active ingredients” that might make NBIs helpful. The authors list five possible mechanisms (stress, rumination, mindfulness, sleep,…
This 2019 scoping review explores how the four classical elements—Fire, Water, Earth, and Air—can map onto modern, changeable exposures and therapies that might affect mental health. The authors summarize emerging evidence from both population studies and intervention trials for things like UV or heat therapy (Fire), sauna and hydrotherapy (Water),…
This feasibility study tested outdoor psychology sessions on an adult inpatient mental health rehabilitation ward during COVID-19. Three psychologists worked with 16 service users; 14 completed rating scales and 8 took part in interviews. Participants reported high satisfaction with the therapy relationship and comfort outdoors, and researchers identified six key…
This 2022 commentary argues that restoring nature and reconnecting people to healthy natural places should be a key public‑health approach for mental health. The authors use hopeful stories and UK examples to show how access to nature and a sense of kinship with the natural world can support well‑being, and…
This small randomized study tested two 20‑minute nature-based audio exercises — guided imagery (GI) and a nature‑based meditation (NBM) — in 40 adults (average age 38.6). Over a 2‑week period with three measurement points, both exercises were linked with statistically significant improvements in well‑being, self‑compassion, and mindfulness, and reductions in…
