Birdsong, trees, sky – a new study suggests exposure to nature is important for those at risk of poor mental health. Jane Kitchen outlines the findings
By Jane Kitchen | Published in Spa Business 2018 issue 2
The benefits of going outdoors were felt for several hours / Jacob Lund/shutterstock
Mental health is a buzzword in the global spa industry and those serious about treating it might consider maximising outdoor therapies and spaces if new research is to be taken into account.
Researchers at King’s College London have used smartphone-based technology to assess the relationship between nature in cities and mental wellbeing in real time.
Not surprisingly, they found that being outdoors, seeing trees, hearing birdsong, seeing the sky and feeling in contact with nature were associated with higher levels of mental wellbeing. But they also found the benefits were especially evident in those with higher levels of impulsivity, who are at greater risk of mental health issues.
Measurable impact The researchers developed a smartphone app, Urban Mind, which monitored 108 people who completed 3,013 assessments over a week. Participants answered questions about their environment and momentary mental wellbeing. GPS-based geotagging pinpointed their location.
The results showed significant immediate associations with mental wellbeing for several natural features: trees, the sky and birdsong. Significantly, the improvement was still evident several hours later. “These findings suggest that short-term exposure to nature has a measurable beneficial impact on mental wellbeing,” says King’s College psychologist Andrea Mechelli.
Helps with poor mental health The investigators were also interested in whether there was a benefit to those at risk of mental health problems. To assess this, participants were rated on ‘trait impulsivity’ – a psychological measure used to predict those with a higher risk of developing ADHD, antisocial personality, bipolar and addictive disorders.
This revealed that the beneficial impact of nature on mental wellbeing was greater in people with higher levels of trait impulsivity and a higher risk of developing mental health issues. Mechelli says this “suggests that nature could be especially beneficial to those individuals who are at risk of poor mental health.
“From a clinical perspective, we hope this line of research will lead to the development of low-cost scalable interventions aimed at promoting mental health in urban populations.”
J & L Gibbons, landscape architects who were involved in the research, are hopeful that the results will “inform future investments and policies, helping build healthier cities”.
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Promotional feature: Zimmer MedizinSysteme
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Modern living might be tough on our minds and bodies, but newly-launched Dutch wellness and self-care brand The Tides offers just the antidote with a new class of pure, raw products and treatments
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Birdsong, trees, sky – a new study suggests exposure to nature is important for those at risk of poor mental health. Jane Kitchen outlines the findings
By Jane Kitchen | Published in Spa Business 2018 issue 2
The benefits of going outdoors were felt for several hours / Jacob Lund/shutterstock
Mental health is a buzzword in the global spa industry and those serious about treating it might consider maximising outdoor therapies and spaces if new research is to be taken into account.
Researchers at King’s College London have used smartphone-based technology to assess the relationship between nature in cities and mental wellbeing in real time.
Not surprisingly, they found that being outdoors, seeing trees, hearing birdsong, seeing the sky and feeling in contact with nature were associated with higher levels of mental wellbeing. But they also found the benefits were especially evident in those with higher levels of impulsivity, who are at greater risk of mental health issues.
Measurable impact The researchers developed a smartphone app, Urban Mind, which monitored 108 people who completed 3,013 assessments over a week. Participants answered questions about their environment and momentary mental wellbeing. GPS-based geotagging pinpointed their location.
The results showed significant immediate associations with mental wellbeing for several natural features: trees, the sky and birdsong. Significantly, the improvement was still evident several hours later. “These findings suggest that short-term exposure to nature has a measurable beneficial impact on mental wellbeing,” says King’s College psychologist Andrea Mechelli.
Helps with poor mental health The investigators were also interested in whether there was a benefit to those at risk of mental health problems. To assess this, participants were rated on ‘trait impulsivity’ – a psychological measure used to predict those with a higher risk of developing ADHD, antisocial personality, bipolar and addictive disorders.
This revealed that the beneficial impact of nature on mental wellbeing was greater in people with higher levels of trait impulsivity and a higher risk of developing mental health issues. Mechelli says this “suggests that nature could be especially beneficial to those individuals who are at risk of poor mental health.
“From a clinical perspective, we hope this line of research will lead to the development of low-cost scalable interventions aimed at promoting mental health in urban populations.”
J & L Gibbons, landscape architects who were involved in the research, are hopeful that the results will “inform future investments and policies, helping build healthier cities”.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
People profile: Garrett Mersberger
Garrett Mersberger on the overhaul of Kohler Waters’ flagship spa in Europe, plus his vision for ISPA following his appointment as chair of the association
Spa programmes: On the menu
Underwater yoga, healing breathwork and genetics all feature in Spa Business’ brand new series revealing the latest treatments, programmes and retreats in spas
Promotional feature: Zimmer MedizinSysteme
Cold therapy is suddenly all the rage, but Zimmer MedizinSysteme’s icelab takes it a step further, creating a cold sauna for the whole body. Rainer Bolsinger explains more about this cutting-edge therapy
Promotional feature: The Tides: pure Dutch nature inside
Modern living might be tough on our minds and bodies, but newly-launched Dutch wellness and self-care brand The Tides offers just the antidote with a new class of pure, raw products and treatments
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
We Work Well Inc In 2019 Monica Helmstetter and Lucy Hugo founded the American hosted buyer event company We Work Wel [more...]
