Nature & Human Well-Being
Discover the science of our connection with nature and its potential influence on the brain, emotional well-being, attention, immunity and recovery.
Can Walking in Nature Change Your Brain and Reduce Negative Thoughts?
Explore how spending time in natural environments may influence repetitive negative thinking, brain activity and emotional well-being. Research comparing natural and urban walks offers insights into the possible psychological benefits of connecting with nature.
Nature therapy, rumination, brain activity and emotional well-being.
Gregory N. Bratman, PhD — Environmental researcher studying nature experiences, psychological well-being and brain activity.
Scientific paper · 2015
Nature Experience Reduces Rumination and Subgenual Prefrontal Cortex Activation ↗
Supporting research · 2008
Can Spending Just Two Hours a Week in Nature Improve Your Health?
Discover research exploring how time spent in parks, forests and other natural settings relates to self-reported health and well-being. Learn how small, regular nature experiences may fit into a balanced lifestyle.
Nature exposure, physical health, psychological well-being and lifestyle habits.
Mathew P. White, PhD — Environmental psychologist studying natural environments, health and well-being.
Scientific paper · 2019
Spending at Least 120 Minutes a Week in Nature Is Associated With Good Health and Wellbeing ↗
Supporting research · 2008
The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting With Nature ↗
Research note: The two-hour finding is an observational association, not a guaranteed therapeutic threshold.
Can Forest Bathing Strengthen Your Immune System?
Explore shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of mindful immersion in forest environments. Learn about research examining natural killer cell activity, stress and other physiological markers following forest visits.
Forest bathing, immune function, natural killer cells and physiological stress.
Qing Li, MD, PhD — Physician and forest-medicine researcher associated with Nippon Medical School in Japan.
Scientific paper · 2007
Forest Bathing Enhances Human Natural Killer Activity and Expression of Anti-Cancer Proteins ↗
Supporting research · 2010
Effect of Forest Bathing Trips on Human Immune Function ↗
Research note: These findings do not establish that forest bathing prevents or treats cancer or other diseases.
Can Nature Restore Your Attention and Improve Concentration?
Discover attention restoration theory and research suggesting that natural environments may help people recover from mental fatigue. Explore experiments involving nature walks, photographs and performance on selected attention tasks.
Attention restoration, cognitive performance, mental fatigue and natural environments.
Marc G. Berman, PhD — Psychologist and neuroscientist studying environmental experiences, attention, memory and cognitive performance.
Scientific paper · 2008
The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting With Nature ↗
Supporting research · 2003
Can Simply Looking at Nature Support Healing and Recovery?
Explore how views of trees and other natural settings may contribute to more restorative healthcare environments. Research into hospital window views offers an influential starting point for understanding nature and patient experiences.
Natural scenery, stress recovery, healthcare environments and restorative design.
Roger S. Ulrich, PhD — Researcher recognized for pioneering studies on healthcare environments, natural views and patient recovery.
Scientific paper · 1984
View Through a Window May Influence Recovery from Surgery ↗
Supporting research · 2003
Tracking Restoration in Natural and Urban Field Settings ↗
Research note: The hospital-window study was a small retrospective comparison. It does not prove that nature views alone cause recovery.
About These Research Features
Independent educational reviews exploring the relationship between natural environments and human well-being.
Researcher profiles. Include relevant biographies and appropriately licensed photographs.
Scientific evidence. Link to original publications and explain findings in reader-friendly language.
Study limitations. Explain research methods, unanswered questions and the difference between association and causation.
Conscious living. Connect research insights with practical, thoughtful ways of experiencing nature.
Editorial independence. Verify researcher affiliations and publication details. Do not imply endorsement by featured researchers or their institutions.
Discover research-informed perspectives on nature, mindful living and the many ways our environment may influence human well-being.
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