Projects
Nature-based interventions (NBI) for depression: a review
Background: The nature-wellbeing connection may have potential to alleviate suffering for those living with depression and other mental health difficulties.
Findings: After reviewing the evidence we found scope for developing NBIs for depression and other common mental health difficulties. More rigorous and high quality research into what works for whom is needed.
Paper: Click here
A Nature meditation study
Background: We wanted to test a simple, brief nature-based meditation for young people to help improve mental wellbeing.
Findings: We found that a 20 minute nature meditation improved mental wellbeing in the short-term and over a two-week period.
Paper: Click here
A nature imagery study
Background: Imagery can be a powerful tool for some to help visualise natural environments and improve wellbeing. This can be especially important for those who struggle to or cannot be outside in nature.
Findings: We found that the guided nature imagery was just as effective as our nature meditation in improving self-compassion, reducing negative thinking and increasing a sense of connection to nature.
Paper: Coming soon.
Therapy for children and young people (CYP): Comparing indoors and outdoors with a preference study.
Background: We need to know if CYP with low mood have a preference for accessing therapy indoors or outdoors and have designed a brief outdoor nature-based group therapy for this purpose and compare it to a standard therapy to be accessed indoors.
Findings: We will report the preferences for the group of CYP and test two main things. 1) will the therapies reduce symptoms of low mood and 2) will there be any differences in change between the two groups .
Paper: Coming soon.
Can virtual nature improve wellbeing?
Background: We don’t always have time to access green or blue space and many of us including adolescence are increasingly poor time. We tested the effect in young people of watching a 6-minute woodland walk video on mental wellbeing.
Findings: The study showed that when compared with an urban video those watching the woodland walk improved on a range of measures including stress, nature connection and ecological spirituality.
Paper: Click here.
Nature-based therapy
Background: Sometimes self-help is not enough. Nature-based therapy may be a successful treatment option for depression. Not all treatments work for everyone and nature-based therapy may be a very beneficial alternative to current therapies. We plan to test our ROWAN nature therapy for people experiencing depressive symptoms and low mood.
Findings: Coming soon.
Paper: Coming soon.
Nature and wellbeing: A qualitative study
Background: A lot of research looks at mental health problems but wellbeing is often overlooked. Exploring the lived experience of people in nature may help us understand the ways in which nature can support high wellbeing.
Findings: In a qualitative analysis of experiences in nature we found important themes relating to the human-nature relationship.
Paper: Coming soon.
Awe in Natrue
Background: Vast expanses of natural landscapes can make us feel a sense of awe. When in this state, we often feel a shift in our sense of self, as though we are small parts connected to a much larger whole. This project seeks to find out if being in this state can help those experiencing depressive symptoms believe negative thoughts about themselves less strongly.
Findings: Coming soon
Paper: Coming soon