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21	Can mindfulness enhance connectedness with nature? The case of in-depth nature experiences with adolescents McCloskey, Jake A. 03 May 2018 (has links) This thesis is an exploratory look into the use of mindfulness practice on in-depth nature experiences to determine if the practice has benefit to the participant, their outdoor experience, and overall connectedness with nature. An original research project examined three groups of adolescents from St. Michaels University School Outdoor Education program in Victoria, BC, Canada, as they hiked the Juan de Fuca trail. Two of the three groups undertook a simple mindfulness protocol to explore the outcomes. Based on participant-observation and interviews, mindfulness practice was determined to be a useful practice towards alleviating stress and anxiety associated with aspects of in-depth outdoor experiences, such as morning preparations. Participants who practiced mindfulness on the trip asked fewer questions about the future and remained present more often than those who did not practice mindfulness. A further finding was that there are aspects of mindfulness inherent in in-depth nature experiences, such as sitting around a fire. These inherent mindfulness moments should be encouraged as they provide benefit to trip experiences, and potentially towards greater connectedness with nature. Overall, this qualitative study suggests that mindfulness is a useful tool for the benefit of human well-being and nature connection. However, more research is needed to further identify the magnitude and mechanisms of the benefit. / Graduate mindfulness meditation sit spot mindfulness practice nature nature experience nature connection connectedness with nature human/nature connection nature association association with nature CWN nature affiliation biophilia nature deficit disorder attention restoration theory biophilia hypothesis psycho-evolutionary theory adolescent outdoor education nature education wilderness therapy adventure therapy qualitative nature experience in-depth nature experience stress-reduction anxiety reduction campfire hiking backcountry outdoor outdoors nature Mindfulness-based stress reduction MBSR
22	Vitalita v architektonickém prostředí / Vitality in the architectonic environment Eyer, David January 2017 (has links) More and more research studies are being conducted on the quality of architectural space as a factor affecting our mental, social and physical health. In the past, this topic was often overlooked in its complexity. The establishment of the specialized fields of building biology, biophilic architecture and the works of Christopher Alexander and Nikos Salingaros now allow us to consider various facets of this subject. This dissertation aims to analyse the topic of vitality in architectural space by studying the abilities and perceptions of its users. Therefore its aim is not to develop a new theory of “vitality-enhancing architectural space”, but to describe how this phenomenon is perceived by the users themselves. Users can provide feedback on which features of architectural space they see as the most important for the feeling of vitality. These features have been hierarchically organized based on their perceived importance, analysed and described in detail to allow their relatively easy application in practice. This dissertation will also allow a comparison with other existing works on the studied topic.

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Can mindfulness enhance connectedness with nature? The case of in-depth nature experiences with adolescents

Vitalita v architektonickém prostředí / Vitality in the architectonic environment