Health, Wellbeing and Environmental Benefits of Contact with Nature
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Health, Well-Being and Sustainability".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2024) | Viewed by 17520
Special Issue Editors
Interests: human and planetary health benefits of contact with the natural environment; climate change and mental health; animal-assisted interventions
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
For many decades, researchers from a variety of disciplines have investigated the nature–health link. In 1986, E.O. Wilson redefined the term ‘biophilia’ to explain the link and defined it is as the inborn affinity human beings have for other life forms. More recently, Frances Kuo Ming (2015) proposed that the nature–health link is comprised of active ingredients (e.g., phytoncides), combined with physiological, psychological states, and behavioural conditions (e.g., immune function and attention), which results in a range of health outcomes (e.g., increased healing and decreased anxiety). Viewing, spending time in, or actively interacting with nature provides a range of human health and wellbeing benefits such as reduced stress; reduced respiratory illness and allergies; improved self-reported wellbeing; reduced risk of poor mental health; improved social cohesion; and improved cognitive ability. In addition to the human health benefits of contact with nature, there are flow-on environmental benefits which enhance and restore ecosystem services, particularly through environmental volunteering.
The aim of this Special Issue is to present recent research that explores the range of human and environmental health and wellbeing benefits of a contact with nature (this can include passive or active interaction). ‘Health and wellbeing’ can encompass several dimensions, including physical, mental, social, and spiritual. In keeping with the scope of the journal, this Special Issue also aims to explore the environmental or ecosystem benefits of a contact with nature.
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research themes may include (but are not limited to) the following:
-Augmented reality/virtual reality and nature;
-Blue spaces;
-Environmental volunteering;
-Forest therapy;
-Green prescriptions;
-Green spaces;
-Indigenous place-based activities;
-Landscape and emotions;
-Mental health and wellbeing;
-Natural environment and exposome;
-Nature-based interventions;
-Nature-based solutions;
-Physical health and wellbeing;
-Planetary health;
-Social health and wellbeing;
-Spiritual health and wellbeing.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
References:
Kuo Ming, F. (2015). How might contact with nature promote human health? Promising mechanisms and a possible central pathway, Frontiers in Psychology, 6; DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01093
Wilson, E. O. (1986). Biophilia – the human bond with other species. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
Dr. Claire Henderson-Wilson
Dr. Justin Lawson
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- human health
- planetary health
- wellbeing
- nature contact
- green spaces
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