Health and well-being naturally: ‘contact with nature’ in health promotion for targeted individuals, communities and populations

Abstract

'Contact with nature' constitutes a health promotion strategy with potential application in prevention, early intervention, treatment and care. Recommendations include further research to investigate the benefits of nature contact within existing interventions, and the impacts of 'active' and 'social' nature contact within tailored interventions for targeted individuals and communities.

Adventurous Physical Activity Environments: A Mainstream Intervention for Mental Health

“…Novel environments are thought to promote development when participants act to overcome challenge through mastery. Socioecological models have also connected naturebased adventure with healthy behavioral changes and eco-centric perspectives [66].…”

The Development of an Enhanced Extension Agent Training to Create Butterfly Gardens in Louisiana

“…The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (2006; cited in Pryor et al 2006) has found that elderly people who are socially isolated have a greater likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease, while other research has also shown that people of all ages who do not get sufficient social and emotional support, have a greater likelihood of experiencing depression . Numerous research studies have also cited evidence linking geriatric depression to the elderly population living in healthcare and long-term care settings (Smyer and Bartels 2002).…”

“…Evidence from physiologically based studies has shown a positive effect of physical activity on body weight, body fat percentage, blood pressure, cholesterol ratios, triglyceride levels, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and bone density (Bedimo-Rung et al 2005;Grahn and Stigsdotter 2003;Peacock et al 2007;Pryor et al 2006). Additionally, it has been shown to lower the risk of developing, as well as promote a better prognosis for, numerous chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, osteoporosis, stroke, depression and some forms of cancer (Bedimo-Rung et al 2005;Grahn and Stigsdotter 2003;Peacock et al 2007;Pryor et al 2006).…”

“…Additionally, it has been shown to lower the risk of developing, as well as promote a better prognosis for, numerous chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, osteoporosis, stroke, depression and some forms of cancer (Bedimo-Rung et al 2005;Grahn and Stigsdotter 2003;Peacock et al 2007;Pryor et al 2006).…”

“…Clinical eco-psychology is based on the theoretical premise that numerous psychological and physical afflictions are likely to result from modern humans withdrawing from the healing powers of the natural world (Schull 2001;Levinson 1969;Roszak et al 1995, cited in Pryor et al 2006. Eco-psychology has been successfully applied to treat patients suffering from a number of negative psychological states associated with severe trauma, cancer, depression and anxiety, by utilising activities in nature as the basis for treatment (Burns 1998; cited in Pryor et al 2006). …”