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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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“Based on these theoretical premises, current research generally acknowledges that natural landscape features have an advantage over artificial landscape features in improving emotional states and enhancing restoration (Bowler et al., 2010; Lindal and Hartig, 2015).”
Impact of greenspace exposure on residents’ mental health: A case study of Nanjing City
Zhixuan, L. I., He, Z., Zhang, Y., Shuangshuang, J. I. N., Xuemei, W. A. N. G., Zhu, J., & Shicen, L. I. U. (2020) · 地理科学进展 · doi:10.18306/dlkxjz.2020.05.007 · Cited by 23
How Children Invented Humanity
Bjorklund, D. F. (2020) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190066864.001.0001 · Cited by 41
Kim, M., & Jang, J. (2022) · Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality & Tourism · doi:10.1080/15332845.2022.2031606 · Cited by 32
Dale, M., Wood, A., Zarotti, N., Eccles, F. J. R., Gunn, S., Kiani, R., Mobley, A., Robertson, N., & Simpson, J. (2022) · Journal of Personalized Medicine · doi:10.3390/jpm12081222 · Cited by 23
“The benefits of nature contact to mental wellbeing have been well-documented [99,100], with the level of nature connectedness having particular significance [101].”
BackgroundJiang, L., Xie, Y., Xu, J., Zhang, C., Wang, H., Huang, D., Li, G., & Tian, J. (2023) · Environmental Science and Pollution Research · doi:10.1007/s11356-023-28461-5 · Cited by 23
“The underlying biological mechanisms are unclear but may be related to increased physical activity, reduced ambient air pollution, climate regulation, and stress relief (Bowler et al. 2010; Dzhambov et al. 2020; Hashad et al. 2021; KihalTalantikite et al. 2013).”
BackgroundBuilding resilience and well-being for post-covid adolescents through outdoor adventure
Allan, J. F., Doran, A., Jones, R., & Farrell, S. (2024) · Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning · doi:10.1080/14729679.2024.2312920 · Cited by 31
“Exposing young people to authentic challenges in natural settings is recognised as important to the development of a range of measurable socio-emotional skill sets, health benefits essential for their normative growth and education (Bowler et al., 2010; Gill, 2010; van den Berg et al., 2015).”
Niedermeier, M., Grafetstätter, C., Kopp, M., Huber, D., Mayr, M., Pichler, C., & Hartl, A. J. (2019) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph16020290 · Cited by 23
“This result is congruent with the findings of walking/running in synthetic and outdoor environments summarized in Bowler, Buyung-Ali, Knight and Pullin [21].”
BackgroundResultInfluentialUrban Vulnerability Indicators. A joint report of ETC-CCA and ETC-SIA
Swart, R. J., Fons, J., Geertsema, W., van Hove, L. W. A., & Jacobs, C. M. J. (2012) · Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling · Cited by 23
Chen, G., Huang, S. (., & Zhang, D. (2017) · Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing · doi:10.1080/10548408.2017.1298494 · Cited by 52
Martin, L., White, M. P., Elliott, L. R., Grellier, J., Astell‐Burt, T., Bratman, G. N., Lima, M. L., Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J., Ojala, A., Roiko, A. H., et al. (2024) · Environmental Research · doi:10.1016/j.envres.2024.118522 · Cited by 25
Nature diversity and well-being in old age
Rantakokko, M., Keskinen, K. E., Kokko, K., & Portegijs, E. (2017) · Aging Clinical and Experimental Research · doi:10.1007/s40520-017-0797-5 · Cited by 22
“Some studies have shown that spending time in natural environments has beneficial effects on well-being [1], such as reducing depressive symptoms.”
BackgroundSavoring mediates the effect of nature on positive affect
Sato, I., Jose, P. E., & Conner, T. S. (2018) · International Journal of Wellbeing · doi:10.5502/ijw.v8i1.621 · Cited by 22
Social Barriers for the Use of Available and Accessible Public Green Spaces
Noël, C., Landschoot, L. V., Vanroelen, C., & Gadeyne, S. (2021) · Frontiers in Sustainable Cities · doi:10.3389/frsc.2021.744766 · Cited by 31
Johnson, J. A., Hansen, B. E., Funk, E. L., Elezovic, F. L., & Finley, J. A. (2021) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101709 · Cited by 30
Xu, H., Lin, X., Liu, F., Wang, X., & Wang, M. (2022) · Forests · doi:10.3390/f13111855 · Cited by 22
Paoin, K., Pharino, C., Phosri, A., Ueda, K., Seposo, X., Kelly, M., Seubsman, S., & Sleigh, A. C. (2023) · Environmental Research · doi:10.1016/j.envres.2023.115215 · Cited by 22
Marcos-Pardo, P. J., Espeso-García, A., Abelleira-Lamela, T., & Machado, D. R. L. (2023) · Experimental Gerontology · doi:10.1016/j.exger.2023.112279 · Cited by 22
Hao, S., Zhang, L., Hou, R., Lau, S. S. Y., & Lau, S. S. Y. (2024) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102345 · Cited by 28
Freeman, C., van Heezik, Y., Hand, K. L., & Stein, A. (2015) · Children Youth and Environments · doi:10.7721/chilyoutenvi.25.2.0176 · Cited by 22
“It is known that contact with nature is vital to the health, happiness and wellbeing of both adults (Bowler et al. 2010; Kalevi, Korpela and Ylén 2007; Mayer and Frantz 2004; Mayer et al. 2009; Ryan et al. 2010), and children (England Marketing 2009; Gill 2011; Holbrook 2008; Kahn and Kellert 2002;…”
BackgroundThe affective and conversational benefits of a walk in nature among mother–daughter dyads
Izenstark, D., Ravindran, N., Rodriguez, S., & Devine, N. (2021) · Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1111/aphw.12250 · Cited by 22
Towards a better future for biodiversity and people: modelling Nature FuturesPreprint
Kim, H., Peterson, G., Cheung, W. W. L., Ferrier, S., Alkemade, R., Arneth, A., Kuiper, J. J., Okayasu, S., Pereira, L. M., Acosta, L. A., et al. (2021) · Global Environmental Change · doi:10.31235/osf.io/93sqp · Cited by 22
“In policy review, evidence synthesis can use methods such as systematic review (Pullin and Stewart, 2006; Bowler et al., 2010) and meta - analyses (Konno and Pullin, 2020) or impact assessment employing econometric and statistical techniques such as matching (Schleicher et al., 2020; Ribas, Pressey…”
MethodJin, T., Lu, J., & Shao, Y. (2024) · Land · doi:10.3390/land13091468 · Cited by 21
“Furthermore, parks contribute to environmental health by improving air quality, reducing urban heat island effects, and providing habitats for urban wildlife, thus enhancing urban biodiversity [14,15].”
BackgroundA systematic review of the influence of physiological factors on outdoor thermal comfort
Luo, M., Guo, F., Tang, H., Ming, R., Huang, L., & Zhao, H. (2025) · Human Settlements and Sustainability · doi:10.1016/j.hssust.2025.02.001 · Cited by 22
Perceived biodiversity: Is what we measure also what we see and hear?
Rozario, K., Shaw, T., Marselle, M. R., Oh, R. R. Y., Schröger, E., Botero, M. G., Frey, J., Ştefan, V., Müller, S., Scherer‐Lorenzen, M., et al. (2025) · People and Nature · doi:10.1002/pan3.70087 · Cited by 25
“There is a consensus across studies that green spaces can provide health-promoting effects (Bowler et al., 2010 ).”
Torquati, B., Stefani, G., Massini, G., Cecchini, L., Chiorri, M., & Paffarini, C. (2019) · NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.njas.2019.02.001 · Cited by 21
“…literature (Seymour, 2003; Frumkin, 2003; De Vries et al., 2003; Maas et al., 2006; Pretty et al., 2005, 2006; Bird, 2007; Barton and Pretty, 2010; Bowler et al., 2010; Pretty et al., 2011; O’Brien and Morris, 2014; Allen and Balfour, 2014); this interest ‘has come from a cross-section of…”
BackgroundGueib, C., Pop, A., Bannay, A., Nassau, E., Fescharek, R., Gil, R., Luc, A., & Jonveaux, T. (2020) · Journal of Alzheimer s Disease · doi:10.3233/jad-190748 · Cited by 21
The Influence of Covid-19 on Perceived Health Effects of Wetland Parks in China
Zhai, X., & Lange, E. (2021) · Wetlands · doi:10.1007/s13157-021-01505-7 · Cited by 23
“For example, exercising in natural environments brings higher levels of happiness than exercising in indoor and street environments (Bowler et al. 2010; Olafsdottir et al. 2017), 5].”
BackgroundHobbs, M., Milfont, T. L., Marek, L., Yogeeswaran, K., & Sibley, C. G. (2022) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114801 · Cited by 21
Dushkova, D., Ignatieva, M. E., Konstantinova, A., Vasenev, V., Dovletyarova, E. A., & Dvornikov, Y. A. (2022) · Land · doi:10.3390/land11060822 · Cited by 21
Domaradzka, A., Biesaga, M., Domaradzka, E., & Kołodziejczyk, M. (2022) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su14169887 · Cited by 22
The Relationship between Perceptions and Objective Measures of Greenness
Hart, J. L., Yeager, R. A., Riggs, D. W., Fleischer, D., Owolabi, U., Walker, K. L., Bhatnagar, A., & Keith, R. J. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph192316317 · Cited by 25
“A recent systemic review by Bowler et al. (2010) suggested many health studies use areas like parks and university campuses with participants immersing themselves in these spaces to evaluate the health effects of greenness and were selected based on the authors’ descriptions that they were…”
BackgroundInfluentialRüger, H., Hoherz, S., Schneider, N. F., Fliege, H., Bellinger, M. M., & Wiernik, B. (2023) · Applied Research in Quality of Life · doi:10.1007/s11482-023-10169-w · Cited by 19
“Some studies are inconclusive, which is partly due to the strong variety in measures as well as a lack of consensus on what is the key to beneficial effects, like extent of, distance to, exposure to or the specific use of green areas (e.g., Bowler et al., 2010; Lee & Maheswaran, 2011).”
BackgroundGreen space and stroke: A scoping review of the evidence
Whyte, M., Douwes, J. E., & Ranta, A. A. (2024) · Journal of the Neurological Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.jns.2024.122870 · Cited by 23
“[7,8,15] Where there was no association, authors posited that it could be due to the whole population being exposed to low levels of greenness, [53] mediation by participants ’ comorbidities, [58] or that other The authors report the study estimate as showing lower risk of IS, despite the upper…”
Background
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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