Stress-related diseases in Sweden have doubled since 1997. Even longterm sickness related tostress has increased over the last decade. In future there is a need of alternative methods todecrease the amount of people being affected to gain a better population health. Natureassisted therapy (NAT) was shown to be a successful method as part of the therapy of stressand burnout likewise was nature an important factor to prevent people from mentaldisorders. The aim of this study was to analyse the latest research concearning nature and itshealth effects with focus on stress and burnout patients in order to plan health promotingactivities outdoors for these patients. Questions included in the study were what impact natureexperiences have apart from medical and psychotherapeutic methods and how natureexperiences do affect stress and burnout patients. The results show that viewing landscapes,rest activities in boreal environment (especially broad-leaved and pine forest), closeness towater and bright wide surroundings have positive effects on people with stress. There is theevidence that certain nature qualities can serve as resources for recovery from stress. Theycan also reduce the risk for gaining mental health. Nature experience is evoking a relaxingmechanism through the activation of the parasympathetic nerve system. For a longtermeffect affected patients do not only need to be shown meaningful activities outdoors but alsohas nature and outdoor activities to become a part of people’s everyday life.

La nature a des effets positifs sur la santé (Moore, 1981 ; Ulrich, 1984). Les premiers travaux se sont inspirés de la médecine ancestrale japonaise avec la prescription aux patients de bain de forêt, afin de renforcer leurs défenses immunitaires et leur bien-être (Li, 2010). Par la suite les recherches ont montré qu’une simple exposition visuelle à la nature pouvait produire les même effets (Beukeboom, Langeveld, & Tanja-Dijkstra, 2012). À l’heure actuelle les travaux se basent sur deux grands courants pour expliquer les effets de la nature sur la santé, à savoir la biophilie (Ulrich, 1993 ; Wilson, 1984) et la théorie de la restauration de l’attention (R. Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989 ; S. Kaplan, 1995). Cependant aucun de ces travaux n’a été mené en France. La littérature a montré que certains effets étaient sensibles à la culture du pays (Pascual et al., 2012). Les travaux ont été menés en utilisant uniquement de la nature verte sous temps clément. Huit expérimentations ont été conduites, manipulant différents types d’expositions à la nature, avec différentes scènes de nature. Les résultats montrent que les effets de la nature sont présents en France, sans différenciation du type de nature. Que celle-ci soit verte ou non, par beau temps ou non, en présence d’éléments aquatiques ou sans, nous observons des effets positifs de la nature. Nous montrons également qu’une stimulation olfactive de la nature produit des effets semblables aux stimulations visuelles. Les résultats que nous obtenons semblent être fortement liés à la notion de contrôle perçu (liberté). / Nature has indisputable effects on human health (Moore, 1981; Ulrich, 1984). The very first research works on this topic were inspired by traditional Japanese medicine. Indeed, at that time, “forest baths” were typically prescribed to patients, in order both to strengthen their immune system and to improve their well-being (Li, 2010). Interestingly, subsequent researches have demonstrated that solely a visual exposure to Nature was able to produce the same effects (Beukeboom, Langeveld, & Tanja-Dijkstra, 2012). To explain this impact of Nature on human health, both biophilia (Ulrich, 1993; Wilson, 1984) and the attention restoration theory (R. Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989; S. Kaplan, 1995) are the two main trends nowadays used by the scientific community. Nevertheless, none of these experiments were carried out in France, while it is clearly established that country’s culture has a significant influence on this Nature effect (Pascual et al., 2012). Moreover, it is relevant to note that up to now all the researches were only performed under both green Nature exposure and mild weather conditions. With the aim of starting to decipher more precisely the influence of the presence of a Nature component on human health and prosocial behavior, this present thesis describes eight experiments carried out in France, with several kinds of Nature exposures and Nature scenes. Results highlight the positive effects of Nature, whatever its type, i.e. green or not, in mild weather or not, with or without aquatic component, etc. Furthermore, this work brings to light than an olfactory stimulation (i.e. using fragrances of Nature) generates similar effects compared to a visual one. Altogether, the results appear to be closely related to the perceived control (freedom).

Urbanization and population growth necessitate an increased presence of green spaces in urban settings to uphold the well-being and health of residents. Outdoor environments with green spaces have shown positive effects on our mental and physical health by reducing stress and enhancing well-being. Understanding how outdoor environments are perceived on university campuses can contribute to more effective health promotion efforts across all campus areas in Sweden. This study aims to investigate how outdoor environments on campus are experienced and can be designed to promote health and social sustainability. Data for this study was collected through a survey targeting both students and employees at Umeå University. The findings reveal that green spaces are highly valued in terms of attractiveness and appreciation. The study identifies seasonal variations in usage and highlights certain factors, such as relaxation and proximity to water, as particularly significant. These green spaces provide opportunities for relaxation, nature experiences, and seating areas, contributing to a positive and enjoyable environment for the campus community. In conclusion, the results of the survey indicate that the green spaces on Umeå University's campus are attractive and significant according to the respondents. Therefore, it is important to continue investing in green areas and green spaces to promote a healthy and welcoming environment for all who reside and work on campus.

Bakgrund: Tidigare forskning visar att vistelse i natur kan bidra till förbättrad hälsa och att det finns ett samband mellan människors aktivitetsnivå, psykiska hälsa och tillgång till naturmiljöer. Idag startas allt fler verksamheter både inom privat företagande och inom offentlig regi där natur används som en resurs för hälsofrämjande och förebyggande arbete. Eftersom fenomenet är ganska nytt saknas beskrivningar av området. Syfte: Studiens syfte var att undersöka hur natur och hälsofrämjande arbete bedrivs av olika aktörer i Sverige. Metod: Kvalitativ ansats valdes som datainsamlingsmetod. Sex djupintervjuer genomfördes med aktörer som arbetar i verksamheter inom ramen för natur och hälsofrämjande arbete. Vid intervjuerna användes semistrukturerad intervjuguide. Intervjuerna analyserades med innehållsanalys. Resultat: Resultatet visade att aktörerna använde natur i verksamheten i form av rum, som redskap och som symbol. Aktiviteterna i verksamheterna spelade en komplex roll då både aktiviteternas symboliska värden och de konkreta aktiviteterna i sig användes som metod. Aktörerna upplevde ett starkt personligt välmående i sitt arbete och ansåg att det är en växande bransch med goda möjligheter till att bedriva verksamhet även i framtiden. Konklusion: Området natur och hälsofrämjande arbete är ett brett område och bedrivs av skiftande verksamheter i fråga om aktiviteter, erbjudanden och inriktningar. Studien visar att områdets pedagogiska inriktningar skiljer sig från tidigare pedagogiska inriktningar inom liknande områden genom att fokusera på hur natur kan användas som ett hälsofrämjande verktyg. / Background: Previous research shows that nature can contribute to health development and shows a correlation between people's level of activity, mental health and access to nature environments. Today we see a growing number of new operations in both the private enterprise and the public sector where nature is used as a resource for health promotion and prevention. Since the phenomenon is fairly new, descriptions of the area are poor. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate how the nature and health promotion work are carried out by different actors in Sweden. Method: Qualitative approach was chosen as the data collection method. Six interviews were conducted with actors working in the field of nature and health promotion. The interviews used semi structured interview guide. The interviews were analyzed by content analysis. Results: The results showed that the respondents use nature as a resource in their business operations, both as a room, a tool and as a symbol. The activities played a complex role since they both had a symbolic value and was used as a concrete tool. The actors however felt a strong personal wellbeing at their work and that it is a growing industry with good opportunities to conduct business in the future. Conclusion: The area of ​​nature and health promotion occupations is a broad field and involves diverse activities regard to activities, offers and specializations. The study also shows that the area's pedagogical orientations, differs from previous educational approaches in similar areas by focusing on how nature can be used as a health promotion tool.

Well-being is fundamental for health. However, health and well-being are under threat by increased prevalence of depression and physical inactivity. Interaction with the natural environment may prevent these critical health issues, as research has shown that walking outdoors contributes to better well-being than walking indoors. The aim of this thesis was to investigate outdoor group walks as a potential public health intervention to enhance positive mental and emotional well-being, reduce stress, and foster resilience. This thesis evaluated Walking for Health, a national group walking programme in England using a nonexperimental, longitudinal design. Individuals who did (Group Walkers) and did not (Non-Group Walkers) take part in outdoor group walks completed two online questionnaires about their mental and emotional well-being, and covariates. To gain a broader understanding of how outdoor group walks may contribute to positive well-being, integrations were proposed between the Attention Restoration Theory and the psycho-evolutionary model, and the theories of coping and resilience. Findings show that Group Walkers had greater mental well-being and positive affect, and less negative affect, depression and perceived stress than Non-Group Walkers. Group walking had no affect on social well-being, connectedness to nature or resiliency. Outdoor group walk participation affected positive well-being through a decrease in perceived stress, and an increase in physical activity. Group Walkers demonstrated resilience against adversity on negative affect. No evidence of resilience from outdoor group walks was found for mental well-being, positive affect or depression. Group walks in farmland and green corridor environments may further boost mental well-being, and reduce negative affect and perceived stress, when compared to group walks in the urban environment. This research suggests that outdoor group walks are effective at improving mental and emotional well-being, and could be a useful public health intervention to reduce stress and foster resilience. Implications for theory are discussed.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geographical and Environmental Studies, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 575-607).

We present an overview of the evidence of how nature benefits mental health, popular theories used to explain the effects, and the development potential of these theories. A large body of evidence highlights the beneficial effects of nature on mental health, with observed outcomes ranging from alleviating the symptoms of psychiatric disorders to improvements in cognitive abilities. The theoretical backbone for these salutary effects of nature consists of a set of models, mainly the attention restoration theory (ART), the stress reduction theory (SRT), and the Biophilia hypothesis. However, these high-level models are only loosely related and lack a pronounced biopsychological basis. While biopsychological measurements have been used widely in recent years, these efforts have not sufficiently been reflected in theories aiming to explain the benefits of nature contact for mental health. This paper seeks to encourage interdisciplinary work and further theory development to guide both research and practice toward strategically green and healthy living conditions. / Der Beitrag bietet einen Überblick über Forschungsbefunde zu positiven Effekten von Naturkontakt auf die psychische Gesundheit, über gängige Theorien zur Erklärung dieser Effekte und das Entwicklungspotenzial dieser Theorien. Es gibt zahlreiche Belege für die positiven Auswirkungen der Natur auf die psychische Gesundheit, wobei die beobachteten Ergebnisse von der Symptomlinderung psychischer Störungen bis zur Verbesserung kognitiver Fähigkeiten reichen. Die theoretische Grundlage für diese gesundheitsförderlichen Effekte der Natur besteht vor allem aus der Attention Restoration Theory (ART), der Stress Reduction Theory (SRT) und der Biophilie-Hypothese. Diese relativ abstrakten Modelle stehen miteinander nur in losem Zusammenhang und haben keine ausgeprägte biopsychologische Grundlage. Während biopsychologische Messungen in den letzten Jahren zunehmend in der Forschung eingesetzt wurden, steht eine Integration dieser Erkenntnisse in den genannten Theorien noch aus. Dieser Beitrag soll die interdisziplinäre Arbeit und die weitere Theorieentwicklung fördern, um Forschung und Praxis in Richtung grüner und gesunder Lebensbedingungen zu lenken.