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Research suggests that spending time in natural environments is associated with cognitive and affective benefits, while increased use of technology and time spent in urban environments are associated with depletion of cognitive resources and an increasing prevalence of mental illness.

Exposure to natural environments offers an array of mental health benefits. Virtual reality provides simulated experiences of being in nature when outdoor access is limited. Previous studies on virtual nature have focused mainly on single "doses" of virtual nature. The effects of repeated exposure remain poorly understood.

Unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and social disconnection are important modifiable risk factors for non-communicable and other chronic diseases, which might be alleviated through nature-based community interventions. We tested whether a community gardening intervention could reduce these common health risks in an adult population that is diverse in terms of age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

This study analyzed data from over 59,000 census block groups in the 301 largest U.S. cities to examine the relationship between urban greenspace and crime. After adjusting for various factors, it found that areas with more greenspace generally had lower rates of both property and violent crime. The negative association was consistent across nearly all cities, with only a few exceptions for violent crime. The findings suggest greenspace may help reduce crime, though further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.

The purpose of this study was to examine the health benefits of the Bayou Greenway trail system in Houston by tracking patterns and changes in hospital visits.

Exposure to urban greenspaces has been linked to improved health outcomes for prevalent conditions. Studies have observed traditional block greenspaces, whereas linear trail systems could maximise health impacts by reaching greater population percentages.

Contact with natural environments is associated with good health and well-being.

Time spent in nature (TSN) is related to improved health and well-being; however, many adults spend little time in nature. Interventions based on health behavior theories may be effective at increasing TSN.

Spending time in nature is proven to be good for your health. Interventions based on health behavior theories may be effective at increasing time spent in nature only if we have a better understanding of attitudes towards this behavior.

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Mask-wearing and social distancing are critical prevention measures that have been implemented to stem the spread of COVID-19. The degree to which these measures are adhered to in the US, however, may be influenced by access to outdoor resources such as green space, as well as mask mandates that may vary by state.

There is growing evidence that time spent in nature can affect well-being. Nonetheless, assessing this relationship can be difficult.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone in urban areas. Some of these impacts in the United States have negatively affected People of Color more than their White counterparts.

We explore two as-yet-unconnected trends: evidence of nature's effects on mental health/wellbeing, and acknowledgment that behavioral research is overwhelmingly informed by globally non-representative societies.

Many researchers suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic may have more negative effects on women than men.

A healthy ecosystem is active, resilient, and maintains its structure over time, providing essential services that support human well-being. This study reviews how ecosystem health connects to the delivery and value of these services, using a six-step framework that links policy decisions to human benefits. Two case studies and data from over 6,000 records reveal that ecosystem health is often underreported in service valuations. The study also examines how the United Nations' accounting system includes ecosystem health and offers recommendations to strengthen this approach.

The beneficial association between nature contact and human health is often explained with psycho-evolutionary frameworks such as stress reduction theory and the savanna hypothesis. However, evidence is limited on how natural environments that are not green affect stress. One example is the desert, which does not offer affordances for nourishment or safety in an evolutionary sense.

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the reliability and validity of self-efficacy and intentions measures for time spent in nature (TSN). TSN is related to improvement in psychological well-being and health, yet most American adults spend very little time in such settings.

Interacting with nature is understood to improve physical, sensory, social, and emotional wellbeing. With a significant rise in diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, now more than ever it is important to provide these children and youth with carefully designed outdoor environments that meet their unique needs and increase the meaningfulness of their daily lives. This report describes the development and features of a newly installed sensory garden at The Els Center of Excellence in Florida.

Trait emotional intelligence reflects a set of self-perceptions and behavioral tendencies to empathize with others and manage one's own emotions. Trait emotional intelligence is a valuable characteristic since it can aid social interaction, bolster subjective wellbeing, and predict career success.