Mental Health News
A team of researchers at the University of Exeter explored the mental health benefits of natural phenomena like sunrise and sunset. The study is published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.
The Study
To better understand the link between nature and mental health, the researchers invited 2509 participants to either an urban or natural virtual setting in which six ephemeral phenomena (like rainbows, sunrises, and sunsets) were occurring.
They then assessed the participants’ ratings of awe, beauty, willingness to visit each condition, and emotional well-being.
The Findings
The results revealed the significant impact of nature on mental health. Features such as a vibrant sunrise or sudden storm are ephemeral and these can significantly improve mood, enhance prosocial behavior, and increase positive emotions—thereby helping us enjoy both physical and emotional well-being.
The authors added: “Our research indicates that getting up a bit earlier for sunrise or timing a walk to catch sunset could be well worth the effort — the ‘wow’ factor associated with these encounters might unlock small but significant bumps in feelings of beauty and awe, which could, in turn, have positive impacts for mental wellbeing.”
To Know More You May Refer To
Smalley, A. J., & White, M. P. (2023). Beyond blue-sky thinking: Diurnal patterns and ephemeral meteorological phenomena impact appraisals of beauty, awe, and value in urban and natural landscapes. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 86, 101955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.101955
