If you don’t have time for a relaxing walk through the woods, try a nature video instead.
A new study found that watching even a brief video of nature scenes significantly improved the mental health of viewers — especially compared to the effect of watching scenes of urban environments.
The researchers focused on late adolescence, a time of life that in recent years has been associated with considerable mental health difficulties — including depression and suicidal ideation — exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Adolescence is a time of multiple transitions and a vulnerability period for mental health difficulties,” the study authors wrote. “There are many barriers to the treatment of mental health conditions … One approach is to use nature-based interventions (NBIs) to improve mental wellbeing.”
The study, published in Nature: Scientific Reports, notes that about 50% of all mental health disorders begin during adolescence, with their prevalence increasing to 75% by age 24.
To test whether videos would have any effect on mental health, the researchers gathered 76 young adults, ages 18 to 25, and randomly sorted them into two groups. One group watched a video depicting a walk through a natural environment, while the other watched a scene of urban train commuters.
3 A new study finds that seeing a brief video of nature scenes significantly improved the mental health of viewers — especially for adolescents and young adults. Shutterstock
Both videos were six minutes in length, and both featured sounds related to the videos, such as birdsongs and waterfalls in the nature video, and train noises in the urban video.
The results showed that stress levels in the group that watched the short nature video were significantly improved compared to the urban group. Moreover, the stress reduction results were long-lasting and seen to improve with each follow-up session.
Relaxation levels and attention spans were likewise improved in the nature-video group.
3 One study video showed a series of natural scenes, while the other showed crowded urban environments. Sci Rep
However, depression levels, described by the study authors as “depressive rumination,” were not improved in either group, suggesting that a brief video cannot compare to actually spending time in nature when it comes to improving mental health.
The study authors stated these results could have important implications for populations with little or no access to natural areas, such as in low-income urban areas, prisons or medical facilities.
3 Nature videos might be helpful for people without access to outdoor environments, such as bedridden people or those in prison. Shutterstock
Many adolescents are also deprived of time in nature, the authors noted, because of schoolwork demands and excessive time spent indoors and watching screens, especially on social media.
“Virtual exposure to nature offers a potential adjunct to real-world exposure to natural environments and the evidence suggests that this can be effective in improving wellbeing,” the authors wrote.
This new research builds on previous studies that have found mental health benefits from time spent in nature, especially near water. Nature-based interventions include a wide spectrum of nature and natural connections, including “Shinrin-yoku,” the Japanese technique of forest bathing.
Some other nature-based interventions can also incorporate psychological approaches and therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and meditation.
Even watching nature videos can improve mental health: study
