Effects of public green space on acute psychophysiological stress response: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the experimental and quasi-experimental evidence

Abstract

Contact with nature is widely considered to ameliorate psychological stress, but the empirical support for a causal link is limited. We conducted a systematic review to synthesize and critically assess the evidence. Six electronic databases were searched. Twenty-six studies evaluated the difference between the effect of natural environments and that of a suitable control on the acute psychophysiological stress response. Eighteen studies were rated as being of moderate quality, 4 low quality, and 4 high quality. Meta-analyses indicated that seated relaxation (g = .5, p =.06) and walking (g = .3, p =.02) in natural environments enhanced heart rate variability more than the same activities in control conditions. Cortisol concentration measures were inconsistent. While intuitively and theoretically sound, the empirical support for acute stress-reducing effects of immersion in natural environments is tentative due to small sample sizes and methodological weaknesses in the studies. We provide guidelines for future research.

The impact of social disadvantage on autonomic physiology of latinx adolescents: The role of environmental risks

“…Lastly, future research taking a strengths‐based approach by incorporating indices of natural environmental supports (e.g., green and blue spaces) and community resilience (e.g., neighborhood cohesiveness, women's health organizations, and family support networks) would appropriately balance the primarily risk‐focused line of inquiry we have discussed. Given past work showing the many physical and psychological health benefits associated with green/blue spaces (Crouse et al., 2018; Mygind et al., 2021; Thompson et al., 2012, 2014; Y. Zhang et al., 2020) and community social support (Anthony & O'Brien, 2002; Farrell et al., 2015; Wight et al., 2006), this is an important direction for future studies.…”

Facing urbanization: Hypothesizing an association between residential green and facial appearance

“…Here, I briefly review those health outcomes that may be related to facial appearance (see [3,6,[8][9][10][11][12] for further health states associated with RG).RG is negatively associated with oxidative stress markers [13,14], cardiovascular diseases [15,14,16], likelihood and severity of COVID-19 infections [17], and risk of inflammatory diseases [18]. Relatedly, stress, cortisol, and correlates are often lower in greener neighbourhoods ([19-21,3,22-24], but see also [6,25]). RG predicts mental health [26][27][28][29].…”

The effects of nature in virtual reality on psychological wellbeing

“…Cardiovascular activity was used as a physiological measure of stress, following past research (Haluza et al, 2014;Mygind et al, 2019). The use of ECG measurements has been shown to be a valid reflection of participants' physiological states in virtual environments (Guger et al, 2004).…”

“…It follows that natural environments rich in these resources elicit more positively toned affective states and reduce levels of physiological arousal, and can do so in a matter of minutes. The theory has been supported by a large body of research which shows that natural environments are associated with improved mood and reduced stress (for reviews, see Haluza et al, 2014;McMahan & Estes, 2015;Mygind et al, 2019). In one study, participants who walked in a nature reserve showed greater stress reduction, measured by blood pressure, and reported greater positive affect and lower anger compared to participants who walked in an office and retail urban setting .…”

“…This thesis focuses on two specific dimensionsaffective states which is a well-established component of psychological wellbeing (Diener, 2009), and psychophysiological stress which is closely intertwined with psychological wellbeing (Lucas & Diener, 2009;Ryff & Singer, 1996). Mygind et al, 2019).…”