Biodiversity and Spiritual Well-being

Irvine, Katherine N.; Hoesly, Dusty; Bell-Williams, Rebecca; Warber, Sara

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-02318-8_10

Cited by 23 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 115 publications

(128 reference statements)

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“…Specific woodland smells (e.g. ‘earthy’) also evoked feelings of peace and calmness, and participants often referred to a connection with nature or a transcendent other, falling within the theorised framework for how biodiversity relates to spiritual wellbeing (Irvine et al 2019 ). These findings align with those of Pálsdóttir et al ( 2021 ), who document how garden smells (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…weather). However, psychological wellbeing is also thought to encompass separate cognitive and emotional domains (Andrews and McKennell 1980 ), while an expanded version of the biopsychosocial model recognises a spiritual wellbeing domain (McKee and Chappel 1992; Linton et al 2016 ; Irvine et al 2019 ). As such, the ‘biopsychosocial-spiritual’ model of wellbeing may comprise physical (outcomes related to the physical body and how one feels physically), cognitive (influences on a person’s state of mind), emotional (refers to the presence of positive and negative emotions and mood), social (how an individual perceives their connections with others) and spiritual (involves the relationship with one’s self and in some cases feelings of being connected to something greater) domains (Irvine et al 2013 ; Linton et al 2016 ).…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nature, smells, and human wellbeing

Bentley

Fisher

Dallimer

et al. 2022

Ambio

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The link between nature and human wellbeing is well established. However, few studies go beyond considering the visual and auditory underpinnings of this relationship, even though engaging with nature is a multisensory experience. While research linking smell to wellbeing exists, it focuses predominantly on smells as a source of nuisance/offence. Smells clearly have a prominent influence, but a significant knowledge gap remains in the nexus of nature, smell, and wellbeing. Here, we examine how smells experienced in woodlands contribute to wellbeing across four seasons. We show that smells are associated with multiple wellbeing domains, both positively and negatively. They are linked to memories, and specific ecological characteristics and processes over space/time. By making the link between the spatiotemporal variability in biodiversity and wellbeing explicit, we unearth a new line of enquiry. Overall, the multisensory experience must be considered by researchers, practitioners, policy-makers and planners looking to improve wellbeing through nature.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature, smells, and human wellbeing

Bentley

Fisher

Dallimer

et al. 2022

Ambio

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“…36 Irvine et al, in a review of spirituality and biodiversity, offer that 'there is suggestive evidence that biodiversity appears to contribute to spiritual outcomes'. 37 They note that these sorts of observation are critical in making clearer links between conservation of biodiversity and human well-being.…”

Section: Nature and Well-beingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The need for biodiversity champions in psychiatry: the entwined crises of climate change and ecological collapse

Krzanowski

2021

BJPsych Bull

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Summary The past 20 years have seen the disappearance and degradation of biodiversity on earth at unprecedented rates. This phenomenon shares similar drivers to those behind climate change yet requires its own solutions. The twin catastrophes of climate change and biodiversity loss demonstrate how our health is bound up in the vitality of this planet. There has been an increasing effort on the part of healthcare professionals to appreciate this relationship, as evidenced by the growing influence of planetary health as a discipline. However, the health impacts of biodiversity loss have been less focused on than those brought on by climate change. Psychiatry's appreciation of the interface between environments and our health, alongside the evidence for the connection between nature and mental health specifically, prompt psychiatrists to ensure that the institution of healthcare throws its influence equally behind solutions to climate change as well as biodiversity loss.

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“…Transcendent experiences-such as humility, awe (strong emotions of amazement and wonder; Ballew and Omoto, 2018), and reflection (thinking about one's life, goals and priorities; Kaplan and Kaplan, 1989)-contribute to well-being (Davis and Gatersleben, 2013;Capaldi et al, 2015). Sights and sounds of nature, both mundane and awesome, have been found to elicit transcendental experiences (Capaldi et al, 2015;Irvine et al, 2019). Considering wilderness as a proxy for a biodiverse environment, studies have found that wilderness-based recreation can contribute to the ability to reflect about one's purpose and meaning in life, and the spiritual experiences of humility and awe (Irvine et al, 2019).…”

Section: Transcendent Experiences (Awe Humility Reflection)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sights and sounds of nature, both mundane and awesome, have been found to elicit transcendental experiences (Capaldi et al, 2015;Irvine et al, 2019). Considering wilderness as a proxy for a biodiverse environment, studies have found that wilderness-based recreation can contribute to the ability to reflect about one's purpose and meaning in life, and the spiritual experiences of humility and awe (Irvine et al, 2019). Qualitative research has shown that viewing some types of wildlife can contribute to a sense of humility and awe (Curtin, 2009).…”

Section: Transcendent Experiences (Awe Humility Reflection)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathways linking biodiversity to human health: A conceptual framework

Marselle¹,

Hartig²,

Cox³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Biodiversity is a cornerstone of human health and well-being. However, while evidence of the contributions of nature to human health is rapidly building, understanding of how biodiversity relates to human health remains limited in important respects. In particular, we need a better grasp on the range of pathways through which biodiversity can influence human health, including those that run through psychological and social processes as well as through biochemical and biophysical processes. Building on evidence from across the natural, social and health sciences, we present a conceptual framework organising the pathways linking biodiversity to human health. Four domains of pathways—both beneficial as well as harmful—link biodiversity with human health: (i) reducing harm (e.g. provision of medicines, decreasing exposure to air and noise pollution); (ii) restoring capacities (e.g. attention restoration and stress reduction); (iii) building capacities (e.g. promoting physical activity, transcendental experiences), and (iv) causing harm (e.g. dangerous wildlife, zoonotic diseases or allergens). We discuss how to test components of the biodiversity-health framework with analytical approaches and existing datasets. In a world with accelerating declines in biodiversity, profound land-use change, and an increase in non-communicable and zoonotic diseases globally, greater understanding of these pathways can reinforce biodiversity conservation as a strategy for the promotion of health for both people and nature. We conclude by identifying research avenues and recommendations for policy and practice to foster biodiversity-focused public health actions.

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Biodiversity and Spiritual Well-being

Cited by 23 publications

References 115 publications

Nature, smells, and human wellbeing

Nature, smells, and human wellbeing

The need for biodiversity champions in psychiatry: the entwined crises of climate change and ecological collapse

Pathways linking biodiversity to human health: A conceptual framework

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