Cold climate does not prevent nature's positive health effects

Nature has a positive impact on people with stress-related illness. A new doctoral thesis in nursing shows that nature-based interventions also work in cold climates, and that they do not need to be extensive to have a positive impact.

“I hope the positive effects of nature for people with stress-related illness will be more recognize and seen as an important complement to treatment in healthcare. Anyone can go out into nature, but when you do not have energy and motivation, you may need support to get started and to find tools and strategies,” says Gunilla Johansson, who recently defended her doctoral thesis in nursing at Luleå University of Technology.

Previous research has shown that activities in nature have positive health effects on persons with stress-related illness, but most studies are conducted in southern Sweden and focus on activities such as gardening. Gunilla Johansson wanted to explore whether so-called nature-based interventions also work during the cold winter in northern Sweden.

"Forest bathing" during winter promoted well-being

In one of the studies in the thesis, two persons with stress-related illness went through a programme with nature-based activities. For a couple of hours a week, they spent time with animals on a farm and in the forest. They engaged in “forest bathing”, which is about just being in the forest and taking in sensory impressions. Winter was not an obstacle for forest bathing, participants lied down on reindeer skins on the snow.

“The participants described experiencing well-being, joy and harmony. These are positive feelings remained even afterwards,” says Gunilla Johansson.

Nature prescriptions

The research also investigated the experiences of people who had been given nature prescriptions. The participants were in different phases of stress-related illness, some on sick leave and others not. Through their healthcare contacts, such as a nurse, physiotherapist or rehabilitation coordinator, they received advice on spending time in nature. The advice focused on being in nature, not on physical activity. It was about taking slow walks, stopping and taking in sensory impressions.

“Many of them had been a lot in nature before, but not prioritizing it when stress took over their lives. The advice helped them get over the threshold of going out. During the moments in nature stressful thoughts calmed down and provided time and place for reflection. Spending time in nature could also be important at an existential level, as it gave a sense of meaning and connectedness with nature,” says Gunilla Johansson.

Even less extensive interventions makes a difference

Previous research has focused on more extensive nature-based interventions for people on sick leave. Gunilla Johansson’s research shows that even less time-consuming interventions make a difference. People can participate even if they are working, and the activities can help them prevent possible sick leave or support their return to work.

“Nature can promote health in different phases of stress-related illness, and even less extensive interventions have a positive effect. In addition, the studies show that winter does not have to be a barrier, but can also bring benefits such as possibilities to walk on the ice on rivers and lakes and the snow silenced the sound of traffic,” says Gunilla Johansson.

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• Read full doctoral thesis: Nature-based interventions to promote health in people with stress-related illness External link, opens in new window.