The healing power of nature

Expert Speaker:

• Kit Kline
  Social Worker/Founder – Nature Based Therapy (VIC)

Moderator:

• Dr Sadhbh Joyce Senior Psychologist, Co-Founder of Mindarma, Meditation Teacher, Nature-based Therapy Practitioner, External Fellow, Black Dog Institute/UNSW Medicine (NSW)

Questions? Contact us at info@mindarma.com

 

The Power of Nature References 

Impact of nature on cognition 
Ohly, H., White, M. P., Wheeler, B. W., Bethel, A., Ukoumunne, O. C., Nikolaou, V., & Garside, R. (2016). Attention Restoration Theory: A systematic review of the attention restoration potential of exposure to natural environments. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 19(7), 305–343. https://doi.org/10.1080/10937404.2016.1196155

Stevenson et al., (2018). Attention Restoration Theory II: a systematic review to clarify attention processes affected by exposure to natural environments. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part B 21, 227 – 268.  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10937404.2018.1505571

Dadvand et al., (2015). Green spaces and cognitive development in primary schoolchildren. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 112.  https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1503402112

Benefits of viewing nature
Jo, H., Song, C., & Miyazaki, Y. (2019). Physiological Benefits of Viewing Nature: A Systematic Review of Indoor Experiments. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(23), 4739. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16234739

Song, C., Ikei, H., & Miyazaki, Y. (2018). Physiological Effects of Visual Stimulation with Forest Imagery. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(2), 213. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15020213

Brown, D. K., Barton, J. L., & Gladwell, V. F. (2013). Viewing nature scenes positively affects recovery of autonomic function following acute-mental stress. Environmental Science & Technology, 47(11), 5562-5569. https://doi.org/10.1021/es305019p

Mental Health Benefits (Research reviews/meta-analyses) 
Sarkar et al.,(2018). Residential greenness and prevalence of major depressive disorders: a cross-sectional, observational, associational study of 94 879 adult UK Biobank participants. The Lancet Planetary Health, 2 (4), e162 – e173. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(18)30051-2/fulltext

Farrow, M.R., & Washburn, K. (2019). A Review of Field Experiments on the Effect of Forest Bathing on Anxiety and Heart Rate Variability. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, Vol (8) 1–7 DOI: 10.1177/2164956119848654. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2164956119848654

Meredith, GR. et al., (2020). Minimum Time Dose in Nature to Positively Impact the Mental Health of College- Aged Students, and How to Measure It: A Scoping Review. Frontiers in Psychology Vol(10).
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02942/full

Kotera et al., (2022) Effects of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy on Mental Health: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Int J Ment Health Addiction 20, 337–361 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00363-4

Kang et al., (2022). Effects of Forest-Based Interventions on Mental Health: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(8):4884. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084884

Ma et al., (2024).  Effectiveness of nature-based walking interventions in improving mental health in adults: a systematic review. Curr Psychol 43, 9521–9539 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05112-z

Menhas et al., (2024) Does nature-based social prescription improve mental health outcomes? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health. 2024, 12.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1228271/full

The health benefits of natural sounds 
Buxton et al., (2021). A synthesis of health benefits of natural sounds and their distribution in national parks. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 118.
https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2013097118

Ratcliffe, E. (2021). Sound and soundscape in the restorative natural environments: A narrative literature review. Frontiers in Psychology 12, 963.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.570563/full

Ratcliffe et al., (2013). Bird sounds and their contributions to perceived attention restoration and stress recovery. Journal of Environmental Psychology 36. 221 – 228.
https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2013097118

Books
Willis K. (2024). Good Nature: The New Science of How Nature Improves Our Health
Callaghan P. (2022). The Dreaming Path: Indigenous Thinking to Change Your Life
Wohlleben P. (2021). The Heartbeat of Trees: Embracing Our Ancient Bond with Forests and Nature
Cooper, K. (2020). Plant Therapy: How an Indoor Green Oasis Can Improve Your Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
Miyazaki, Y. (2018). Shinrin-yoku: the Japanese art of forest bathing
Williams, F. (2018) The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier and More Creative
Wohlleben P. (2016). The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World

The views expressed in this webinar are solely that of the panellists and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mindarma or the Black Dog Institute.