A Review of the Benefits of Nature Experiences: More Than Meets the Eye

Abstract

Evidence that experiences of nature can benefit people has accumulated rapidly. Yet perhaps because of the domination of the visual sense in humans, most research has focused on the visual aspects of nature experiences. However, humans are multisensory, and it seems likely that many benefits are delivered through the non-visual senses and these are potentially avenues through which a physiological mechanism could occur. Here we review the evidence around these lesser studied sensory pathways-through sound, smell, taste, touch, and three non-sensory pathways. Natural sounds and smells underpin experiences of nature for many people, and this may well be rooted in evolutionary psychology. Tactile experiences of nature, particularly beyond animal petting, are understudied yet potentially fundamentally important. Tastes of nature, through growing and consuming natural foods, have been linked with a range of health and well-being benefits. Beyond the five senses, evidence is emerging for other non-visual pathways for nature experiences to be effective. These include ingestion or inhalation of phytoncides, negative air ions and microbes. We conclude that (i) these non-visual avenues are potentially important for delivering benefits from nature experiences; (ii) the evidence base is relatively weak and often based on correlational studies; and (iii) deeper exploration of these sensory and non-sensory avenues is needed.

Quantifying cultural ecosystem services: Disentangling the effects of management from landscape features

“…This change in behaviour has been attributed to urbanisation, biodiversity loss, technological changes and safety concerns (Gaston et al., ; Soga & Gaston, ). However, there is a large body of evidence that demonstrates that exposure and relatedness to nature is beneficial for physical and mental health (Dean et al., ; Franco, Shanahan, & Fuller, ; Wood, Hooper, Foster, & Bull, ). Additionally, poor connectedness to nature can reduce pro‐environmental behaviour and drive unsustainable attitudes to resource use, and so re‐connecting people with nature will have an important role to play in responding to global ecological challenges (Ives et al., ; Klaniecki, Leventon, & Abson, ).…”

“…This change in behaviour has been attributed to urbanisation, biodiversity loss, technological changes and safety concerns Soga & Gaston, 2016). However, there is a large body of evidence that demonstrates that exposure and relatedness to nature is beneficial for physical and mental health (Dean et al, 2018;Franco, Shanahan, & Fuller, 2017;Wood, Hooper, Foster, & Bull, 2017).…”

Why only blue in the traditional architecture of western Himalaya, India?

“…Thus, the combination symbolizes authority, cleanliness, and gentleness of the ethnic people. Moreover, nature and clean urban environment increase pleasant feelings and reduce stress, anger, and anxiety and thus improve the physical and psychological health of an individual . Color perception is not only a function of lightness, chroma, and hue, but also of factors such as viewing distance and angle, amount and type of ambient light, and presence of other colors in the immediate background and general environmental surround …”

Much More Than a Pleasant Scent: A Review on Essential Oils Supporting the Immune System

“…Breathing in the EOs from trees while staying in a forest is a possible mechanism that may induce the health benefits and immune function enhancement of forests and forest bathing, but other mediators may also give rise or contribute to such positive effects. The possible roles of visual, auditory and tactile experiences, biodiversity, negative air ions, reduced air pollution and heat, microbial input, stress reduction, relaxation, and some others are suggested and discussed in the literature [89][90][91][92]. Moreover, not only the presence of these factors but also the duration and frequency of exposure to outdoor green spaces influence the health-promoting effect [93,94].…”