RESEARCH

Mental Health Benefits of Nature-Based Recreation: A Systematic Review

This systematic review of 51 articles reveals a positive association between nature-based recreation. Activities like walking and gardening, improved mental health, noting benefits in cognition, restoration, and well-being.
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Summary

This systematic review examines the mental health benefits of nature-based recreation, analyzing 51 articles using predominantly quantitative (72%), but also qualitative (20%) and mixed-method (8%) approaches. Activities investigated encompass general time spent in nature and specific recreational pursuits, like walking, hiking, and gardening, in diverse settings from national parks to urban greenspaces. The studies measure mental health outcomes through self-reported questionnaires, psychological assessments, and physiological measures, often comparing these activities to control conditions or measuring changes before and after participation.

The review’s findings indicate a positive association between nature-based recreation and mental health in most articles (90%). Improvements were observed in cognition, and well-being, alongside decreases in anxiety and depression symptoms. Of the 40 sources reporting quantitative findings, 87.5% reported at least one significant relationship between nature-based recreation and positive mental health outcomes. None of the sources reported a significant relationship between nature-based recreation and negative mental health outcomes.

Link

Lackey, N. Q., Tysor, D. A., McNay, G. D., Joyner, L., Baker, K. H., & Hodge, C. (2019). Mental health benefits of nature-based recreation: a systematic review. Annals of Leisure Research, 24(3), 1–15.

 

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