Investigating the Qualities of a Recreational Forest: Findings from the Cross-Sectional Hallerwald Case Study

Abstract

Prior research shows that forests contribute to human health and well-being. In this sense, this cross-sectional case study, adopting the principles of citizen science, assessed the restorative potential of places in the Hallerwald, an Austrian community forest. A convenience sample of adult forest visitors (n = 99, 64% females) completed a survey during a guided 2.5 h forest tour. The German questionnaire assessed the qualities of defined places in the forest. We also investigated changes in mood states, perceived stress, restoration, connectedness, and mindfulness before and after visiting the forest. In cooperation with a local working group, we developed the new Widen One’s Mind (WOM) scale, which showed good scale characteristics. All places received high scores in their potential to increase restoration and vitality and to widen one’s mind. Positive affect, restoration, connectedness with nature and the forest, and mindfulness increased pre- versus post-visits, whereas negative affect and perceived stress decreased. The findings of this study suggest that in recreational forests, visitors experience beneficial mental effects such as stress reduction in addition to physical exercise. To facilitate regional development goals, we recommend evaluating places in forests regarding the potential effects on the health and well-being as well as citizen participation before initiating extensive remodeling.

Fitness and the Crisis: Impacts of COVID-19 on Active Living and Life Satisfaction in Austria

“…Prior studies highlighted the recreational value of forests and urban parks before and also during the crisis [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Robinson et al found that people spent more time in nature for health and wellbeing benefits and felt that nature helped them to manage the COVID-19 pandemic [ 37 ].…”

“…Only the following five exceptions of the ban to enter public places applied: activities to avert an immediate danger to life, limb, or property; professional activity; shopping to cover necessary basic needs; care and assistance for people in need of support; and exercising outdoors alone and with pets or people living in the same household. Especially, the latter exception acknowledged prior studies showing that contact to outdoor nature can positively influence human health and wellbeing [ 16 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

The Beneficial Effects of Short-Term Exposure to Scuba Diving on Human Mental Health

“…In addition, it would also be interesting to compare these groups with others doing activities in green spaces (i.e., forest walking guided tours, recreational walks, interactive study of local fauna and flora, etc. ), as many studies have also reported beneficial outcomes of green spaces for mental health [40,59,60]. Moreover, we assumed that every subject was its own control before participating in the activity and failed to take into account the number of days each subject had been exposed to the blue space previous to the interview.…”

Effect of Viewing Real Forest Landscapes on Brain Activity

“…As such, methods that can effectively relieve stress and induce physical and mental relaxation are needed. Stress relief that results from interactions with nature, particularly with forests, has been the focus of significant research; recent studies report that these interactions have an important and positive effect on human health [11][12][13][14][15]. Current scientific evidence has helped to establish the field of forest therapy, which is an evidence-based method used to promote human health via an experience known as "forest bathing".…”