Simulated natural environments bolster the effectiveness of a mindfulness programme: A comparison with a relaxation-based intervention
Journal article
Authors | Choe, Eun Yeong, Jorgensen, Anna and Sheffield, David |
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Abstract | This study assesses the effectiveness of incorporating the beneficial effects of exposure to nature in a 3-week mindfulness programme. Participants (n = 122) were randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups (mindfulness, relaxation group) under different simulated environmental conditions (two natural, two non-natural environments) during an intervention lasting three weeks. The participants in the mindfulness group were asked to attend a weekly 1-h mindfulness programme. The relaxation group also spent 1 h per week on relaxation activities of their choice (e.g. reading books or magazines). Participants’ wellbeing outcomes and nature connectedness were measured before and after the three-week intervention, and at one-week follow-up. The findings show that the mindfulness programme was more effective when carried out in a natural environment. In addition, the mindfulness group in natural environments continued to improve even after the intervention was completed. This study offers valuable insights into the benefits of combining a wellbeing intervention with exposure to nature. |
Keywords | Mindfulness; Nature; Environment |
Year | 2019 |
Journal | Journal of Environmental Psychology |
Journal citation | 67 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
ISSN | 02724944 |
15229610 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.101382 |
Web address (URL) | http://hdl.handle.net/10545/624968 |
hdl:10545/624968 | |
Publication dates | 14 Dec 2019 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 09 Jul 2020, 15:21 |
Accepted | 13 Dec 2019 |
Contributors | University of Sheffield and University of Derby |
File | File Access Level Open |
https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/95413/simulated-natural-environments-bolster-the-effectiveness-of-a-mindfulness-programme-a-comparison-with-a-relaxation-based-intervention
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