Walking for Well-Being: Are Group Walks in Certain Types of Natural Environments Better for Well-Being than Group Walks in Urban Environments?

Abstract

The benefits of walking in natural environments for well-being are increasingly understood. However, less well known are the impacts different types of natural environments have on psychological and emotional well-being. This cross-sectional study investigated whether group walks in specific types of natural environments were associated with greater psychological and emotional well-being compared to group walks in urban environments. Individuals who frequently attended a walking group once a week or more (n = 708) were surveyed on mental well-being (Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale), depression (Major Depressive Inventory), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and emotional well-being (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule). Compared to group walks in urban environments, group walks in farmland were significantly associated with less perceived stress and negative affect, and greater mental well-being. Group walks in green corridors were significantly associated with less perceived stress and negative affect. There were no significant differences between the effect of any environment types on depression or positive affect. Outdoor walking group programs could be endorsed through “green prescriptions” to improve psychological and emotional well-being, as well as physical activity.

Group Outdoor Health Walks Using Activity Trackers: Measurement and Implementation Insight from a Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

“…In a large-scale evaluative study, Marselle et al [33] found that group walks in natural environments were associated with better mental health. Additional analyses found that group walks in farmland or green corridors were associated with a significant reduction in stress and negative emotions [35] and that elements associated with an outdoor group walk (e.g., biodiversity, naturalness, intensity, duration) affect wellbeing [36] and are mediated by the perceived restorativeness of the environment [37]. However, a major limitation of these previous works is the lack of pre-post health and wellbeing evaluations [29,33].…”

“…Walk-related information included: date of walk (write in: date); the weekly walk number (write in: the weekly walk number, e.g., 1, 2); the number of people attending (write in: number); the duration of the walk (write in: walk start time and walk end time); and the distance walked (write in: distance including source of information about distance, e.g., estimate, phone-based app). The walk environment was measured with a list of categories (e.g., natural and semi-natural places, green corridors, public spaces) that has previously been used in nature-health research [35]. The Walk Leader was asked to select the one that 'best describes the site' in which the walk took place.…”

Depression: Current treatments with low-cost strategies

“…This finding is buttressed by a more recent study of 708 participants that compared the effects of walking exercise in a natural environment as opposed to walking exercise in an urban environment (Marselle et al 2013). The investigators found that, group walks in farmland were significantly associated with less perceived stress, more positive mood, and greater mental wellbeing than walks in urban environments (Marselle et al 2013). They concluded that outdoor walking group programs could be endorsed through "green prescriptions" to improve psychological and emotional well-being, as well as physical activity.…”

Physical, Psychological and Emotional Benefits of Green Physical Activity: An Ecological Dynamics Perspective

“…Furthermore, reduced levels of state anxiety have been reported following green exercise experiences [21] and correlations have been observed between active involvement in environmental groups and positive health, wellbeing and social connectedness [22]. A meta-analysis revealed that a walk/run in a natural environment, (e.g.…”

“…Existing data on green PA can be interpreted to suggest that diverse affordances may offer more physical possibilities, better social interactions; positive psychological responses and emotional feelings compared to indoor environments with limited affordances. Environments with more natural features tend to be preferred and associated with more positive physical and mental health outcomes [21]. Some parameters may be stable attractors which encourage emergence of specific behaviours or may provide information for action possibilities or positive emotional feelings.…”