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A systematic review of evidence for the added benefits to health of exposure to natural environments
Open accessAbstract
Background: There is increasing interest in the potential role of the natural environment in human health and well-being. However, the evidence-base for specific and direct health or well-being benefits of activity within natural compared to more synthetic environments has not been systematically assessed. Methods: We conducted a systematic review to collate and synthesise the findings of studies that compare measurements of health or well-being in natural and synthetic environments. Effect sizes of the differences between environments were calculated and meta-analysis used to synthesise data from studies measuring similar outcomes. Results: Twenty-five studies met the review inclusion criteria. Most of these studies were crossover or controlled trials that investigated the effects of short-term exposure to each environment during a walk or run. This included 'natural' environments, such as public parks and green university campuses, and synthetic environments, such as indoor and outdoor built environments. The most common outcome measures were scores of different self-reported emotions. Based on these data, a meta-analysis provided some evidence of a positive benefit of a walk or run in a natural environment in comparison to a synthetic environment. There was also some support for greater attention after exposure to a natural environment but not after adjusting effect sizes for pretest differences. Meta-analysis of data on blood pressure and cortisol concentrations found less evidence of a consistent difference between environments across studies. Conclusions: Overall, the studies are suggestive that natural environments may have direct and positive impacts on well-being, but support the need for investment in further research on this question to understand the general significance for public health.
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“Although a previous meta-analysis has been published that examined whether exposure to natural environments has a positive impact on health and well-being (Bowler et al., 2010)”
From The relationship between nature connectedness and happiness: a meta-analysis (2014) · cites this paper as Bowler et al., 2010
In the citing paper
“For example, exposure to natural environments decreases stress, increases happiness, improves mood, and restores attention (Berto, 2005; Bowler, Buyung-Ali, Knight, & Pullin, 2010; White, Alcock, Wheeler, & Depledge, 2013).”
From Behavioral trainings and manipulations to reduce delay discounting: A systematic review (2019) · cites this paper as Bowler, Buyung-Ali, Knight, & Pullin, 2010
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“Natural spaces have been shown to provide individuals with well-being benefits [47]”
From Understanding How Virtual Reality Can Support Mindfulness Practice: Mixed Methods Study (2020) · cites this paper as [47]
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“Finally, both green systems play an important role in the well-being and physical, social and psychological health of citizens (Bowler et al., 2010; Dadvand et al., 2016; Salthammer et al., 2016).”
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“, 2018), and an earlier metaanalysis did not find support for improvement in attention after exposure to a natural environment (Bowler et al., 2010).”
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“On the other hand, there is no evidence for age or gender effects in responses to the natural environment (for review, see [25,82,83]).”
BackgroundIndividual differences in preference for architectural interiors
Vartanian, O. A., Navarrete, G., Palumbo, L., & Chatterjee, A. K. (2021) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101668 · Cited by 31
“For example, incorporating natural features such as greenery into the built environment can improve mood (Bowler et al., 2010), and accelerate recovery from stress and surgery (Ulrich, 1984; Ulrich et al., 1991).”
BackgroundConnection to Nature Boosts Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Jackson, S. B., Stevenson, K. T., Larson, L. R., Peterson, M. N., & Seekamp, E. (2021) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su132112297 · Cited by 33
The Japanese in the Australian pearling industry
Sissons, D. C. S. (1979) · Cited by 31
Understanding the Role of Nature Engagement in Supporting Health and Wellbeing during COVID-19
Darcy, P. M., Taylor, J. H., Mackay, L., Ellis, N., & Gidlow, C. J. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19073908 · Cited by 34
“The importance of natural environments (green spaces, blue spaces, urban green spaces (UGS)) in supporting health and wellbeing has been well evidenced, through positive impacts on mental and physical health [6,7], psychological and physiological stress reduction [8,9], and restoration of cognitive processes [10,11].”
BackgroundSi, Q., & Cardinal, B. J. (2016) · The Journal of Pediatrics · doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.10.016 · Cited by 34
“Outdoor physical activity participation also can affect their attention, concentration, and emotions positively.(27) Therefore, engaging in physical activity in a healthy and natural environment may be conducive to children’s health(28); however, by exposing children to air pollution, their health can be compromised.”
BackgroundThe benefits of gardening and food growing for health and wellbeing
Schmutz, U., Lennartsson, M., Williams, S., Devereaux, M., & Davies, G. (2014) · Pure (Coventry University) · doi:10.13140/rg.2.1.3703.5289 · Cited by 34
Hartig, T., & Jahncke, H. (2017) · Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part B · doi:10.1080/10937404.2017.1363101 · Cited by 37
“Further, like Bowler et al., they frankly admitted limitations with their review. For one, they wrote that “a potential limitation of discarding baseline data is that information is lost, making it less likely that analyses might detect differences between the trial arms or estimate differences precisely” (pp. 36–37).…”
The Role of Interaction with Nature in Childhood Development: An Under-Appreciated Ecosystem Service
Summers, J. K., Vivian, D. N., & Summers, J. T. (2019) · Psychology and Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.11648/j.pbs.20190806.11 · Cited by 30
“Conversely, people, who, particularly as children, gravitated to staying inside, often seem to be more disconnected from their peers, be more sedentary or inactive, have higher levels of c-reactive proteins and cortisol and eat energy-dense and unhealthy foods [99].”
BackgroundTherapeutic Landscapes and Psychiatric Care Facilities: A Qualitative Meta-Analysis
Oeljeklaus, L., Schmid, H., Kornfeld, Z., Hornberg, C., Norra, C., Zerbe, S., & McCall, T. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19031490 · Cited by 37
“The environment has a significant impact on health [1,2].”
BackgroundYang, Q., Tang, Y., Jennings, G., Zhao, B., Zhu, F., & Ma, X. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1014967 · Cited by 32
What physical activity contexts do adults with psychological distress prefer?
Khan, A., Brown, W. J., & Burton, N. W. (2012) · Journal of science and medicine in sport · doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2012.10.007 · Cited by 30
Pretty, J., Barton, J., Colbeck, I., Hine, R., Mourato, S., MacKerron, G., & Wood, C. (2011) · WestminsterResearch (University of Westminster) · Cited by 30
Affective outcomes during and after high-intensity exercise in outdoor green and indoor gym settings
Turner, T. L., & Stevinson, C. D. (2017) · International Journal of Environmental Health Research · doi:10.1080/09603123.2017.1282605 · Cited by 36
“Systematic reviews have concluded that in general, outdoor exercise settings are associated with greater well-being outcomes than synthetic alternatives, although the need for more rigorous comparisons is emphasized (Bowler et al. 2010; Thompson Coon et al. 2011).”
BackgroundHow do Rural Second Homes Affect Human Health and Well-being? Review of Potential Impacts
Pitkänen, K., Lehtimäki, J., & Puhakka, R. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17186748 · Cited by 30
“The focus has largely been on the health and well-being impacts of recreation in urban parks and green spaces [3].”
Background“Feels Good to Get Wet”: The Unique Affordances of Surf Therapy Among Australian Youth
McKenzie, R. J., Chambers, T. P., Nicholson-Perry, K., Pilgrim, J., & Ward, P. B. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.721238 · Cited by 29
Voorendonk, E. M., Sanches, S. A., Tollenaar, M. S., Hoogendoorn, E. A., de Jongh, A., & van Minnen, A. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1215250 · Cited by 30
Byrka, K., & Ryczko, N. (2018) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2018.06.002 · Cited by 32
Field analysis of psychological effects of urban design: a case study in Vancouver
Negami, H. R., Mazumder, R., Reardon, M., & Ellard, C. G. (2018) · Cities & Health · doi:10.1080/23748834.2018.1548257 · Cited by 34
“…shown repeatedly to improve people’s mood and well-being, reduce their stress levels and to have a psychologically restorative effect, compared to urban environments (e.g. Kaplan and Kaplan 1989, Hartig et al. 1991, Ulrich et al. 1991, Bowler et al. 2010, Park et al. 2010, Horiuchi et al. 2013).”
BackgroundNature-based rehabilitation for adults with acquired brain injury: a scoping review
Vibholm, A. P., Christensen, J. R., & Pallesen, H. (2019) · International Journal of Environmental Health Research · doi:10.1080/09603123.2019.1620183 · Cited by 31
Samimi, P. M., & Shahhoseini, H. (2020) · Indoor and Built Environment · doi:10.1177/1420326x20917436 · Cited by 29
Luo, J., Wang, M., & Chen, L. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.699908 · Cited by 36
Revisiting the determinants of happiness from a grounded theory approach
Singh, K. K., Saxena, G., & Mahendru, M. (2022) · International Journal of Ethics and Systems · doi:10.1108/ijoes-12-2021-0236 · Cited by 33
Nature Exposure is Associated With Reduced Smartphone Use
Minor, K., Glavind, K. L., Schwartz, A. J., Danforth, C. M., Lehmann, S., & Bjerre-Nielsen, A. (2023) · Environment and Behavior · doi:10.1177/00139165231167165 · Cited by 31
“While the current study provides initial theoretical support for the time displacement and virtual emplacement hypotheses across varied real-world environments, future panel research with digital trace observations should investigate whether engagement with diverse virtual settings might also replace—or alternatively…”
BackgroundInfluentialXiaoxue, S., & Huang, X. (2024) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1352611 · Cited by 28
“Nature has a beneficial impact on human health (17–19).”
The Differential Impact of Mystery in Nature on Attention: An Oculometric Study
Marois, A., Charbonneau, B. Z., Szolosi, A. M., & Watson, J. M. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.759616 · Cited by 30
Metadata
- Authors
- Bowler, D. E., Buyung-Ali, L. M., Knight, T. M., & Pullin, A. S.
- Affiliations
- Bangor University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Pullin, Andrew S
- Venue
- BMC Public Health
- Published
- 2010-08-04
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 456-456
- ISSN
- 1471-2458 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC2924288
- OpenAlex
- W2115180584
- Cited by
- 1,993
- References
- 57
- Citations by year
- 2026: 108 · 2025: 146 · 2024: 206 · 2023: 172 · 2022: 176 · 2021: 184 · 2020: 227 · 2019: 167 · 2018: 138 · 2017: 103 · 2016: 112 · 2015: 80 · 2014: 78 · 2013: 54 · 2012: 24
- FWCI
- 3.06
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- BMC Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- Natural England
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Urban Studies › Urban Green Space and Health
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Acoustics and Ultrasonics › Noise Effects and Management
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
- Keywords
- natural environment, synthetic environments, built environment, well-being, self-reported emotion, attention, blood pressure, cortisol, walking, running, green spaces, public parks, urban green space, nature exposure
- MeSH terms
- Health Status, Humans, Personal Satisfaction, Nature
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