When life feels overwhelming, many people naturally turn to nature. walk in a park Sitting by the sea. watching the sunset Is it just a pleasant feeling, or is there something deeper at work?
Numerous studies have linked spending time in nature to various aspects of mental health and well-being. For example, immersing oneself in natural outdoor spaces It seems that depression has lifted And Brain activity affects patterns. may have an effect Especially relevant for children. But most studies on this question have looked at living humans The so called WEIRD SOCIETY – Western, educated, industrialized, rich and democratic.
as Environmental psychologist based on In the United States And In GermanyWe were part of a team of more than 100 researchers who traveled around the world to examine this phenomenon and determine how consistent it is around the world.
Across countries as diverse as Brazil, Japan, Nigeria, Germany and Indonesia, We saw a clear pattern: People who feel more connected to nature also report higher well-being.
Universal unity with nature
Researchers who study human relationships with the natural world often use the term “nature connection.” This phrase doesn’t just mean hiking or going to the park. Nature connection The extent to which people see nature as part of who they are – refers to whether they feel an emotional bond with the natural world and a sense of oneness with it.
Someone with a high degree of nature connection might agree with statements like, “My relationship with nature is an important part of who I am.” It reflects identity and meaning, not just exposure.
We draw on data collected between 2020 and 2022 from more than 38,000 participants in a large international collaboration that was established to determine how people responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants came from 75 countries and were on average in their teens, 20s or 30s. They completed questionnaires that explored the links between people’s connection to nature and various aspects of well-being.
The questionnaire inquires about people’s purpose in life; their sense of hope, life satisfaction and optimism; their sense of resilience and ability to cope with the stress they experience; as well as whether they Practice mindfulness As they go through their daily lives.
Across this large international sample, we found that those who felt more connected to nature consistently reported higher levels of well-being and mindfulness. This was true not only for feeling satisfied with life but also for deeper aspects of development, such as having a sense of direction and meaning. And these associations hold even when accounting for age and gender.
Does national context matter?
We also explored whether specific characteristics of a country strengthen the benefits of feeling connected to nature.
For example, we looked at how well countries take care of their air, and water systems, and ecosystems, as well as whether citizens have equal access to education, democratic participation, and other key social and financial resources, and whether cultures prioritize the collective good over individual priorities. There were some differences, but the main takeaway was quite clear: a connection to nature and well-being can be seen in a wide range of economic, cultural and environmental contexts.
In other words, the psychological benefits of feeling connected to nature do not seem to be limited to wealthy Western countries or specific cultural worldviews.
Why might connectivity matter?
One reason feeling connected to nature can be linked to well-being Nature connection enhances mindfulness – Ability to be present and focused.
In our data, those with stronger feelings of connection to nature tended to have higher levels of mindfulness, which is strongly associated with mental health.
Another possibility is that bonding with nature can make people more resilient. Those who feel connected to something bigger than themselves can find it Stress and uncertainty are easy to deal with. A sense of oneness—even with the natural world—can provide emotional grounding in a world characterized by stress. There may also be a feedback loop: feeling good can encourage people to engage more deeply with nature, strengthening bonds over time.
Implications for policy and everyday life
These findings are important beyond the academic debate. around the world, Policymakers are increasingly recognising The link between human health and environmental sustainability. International agreements eg Convention on Biological DiversityA landmark agreement, signed by 196 countries in 1992, emphasizes the importance of restoring humanity’s relationship with nature.
These policy actions are intended to protect Earth’s ecosystems, but our results suggest that they may also benefit people’s psychological well-being. Similarly, designing with cities Accessible green spaceIncorporating nature-based experiences in schools and supporting community engagement with the local environment can do more than beautify neighborhoods—they can also Help people improve.
Across cultures, languages, and economic systems, feeling connected to the natural world is consistently associated with more optimistic, purposeful, and resilient living. At a time when Global mental health challenges are increasingReconnecting with nature is not a luxury but a basic – and widely shared – human need
Stylianos SiropoulosAssistant Professor of Psychology, Arizona State University; Christina Zinhi CapozzoliPhD student in Sustainability, Arizona State UniversityAnd Leah BarbetA researcher in community psychology, Fern University of Hagen
Reprinted from this article the conversation Under Creative Commons license. read on Main article.
