Did you know that: A meeting in natural settings is more than just a beautiful view. Several studies show that nature has many positive effects on our well-being and work effectiveness. Simon Høegmark, PhD researcher, expert in the nature and Partner in ViNatur, have highlighted some of the findings below. - Spending time in the natural environment improves our mental health and feelings of wellbeing. It can reduce stress, fatigue, anxiety and depression.
(Li et al., 2006, 2007, 2018, 2019).
- Spending time in nature can improve creativity and problem solving. Fifty-six hikers participated in a study that involved four days immersed in nature and disconnected from multi-media and technology. Participants were tested during the trip, and the findings demonstrated a 50% increase in performance on a creativity, problem-solving task.
(Atchley, R.A., Strayer, D.L., & Atchley, P. (2012). Creativity in the wild: Improving creative reasoning through immersion in natural settings. PLOS One, 7(12)).
- Nature can make us happier, give us more trust in each other and thus make authentic agreements.
(MacKerron, G. & Mourato, S. (2013). Happiness is greater in natural environments. Global Environmental Change, 23 (5), 992).
- Our sense of connectedness to nature can enhance our capacity for happiness, even after controlling for other connections, and not only makes us happy in the moment, but causes us to feel happier in the future when no longer in nature.
(Zelenski, J. M., & Nisbet, E. K. (2014). Happiness and feeling connected: The distinct role of nature relatedness. Environment and Behavior, 46(1), 3-23).
- We must reconnect with nature. There, we get closer to the truth and peace of mind.
(Høegmark, S., Andersen, T. E., Grahn, P., & Roessler, K. K. (2022). The Wildman Programme–Experiences from a first implementation of a nature-based intervention designed for men with stress and chronic illnesses. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 101535).
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