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Connecting With Nature Can Help You Cope

May 7, 2020 Leave a Comment

Photo: Mi Pham

The psychological impacts of the pandemic are being felt across the globe, including in Canada. Findings released from a recent online survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute suggest that half of Canadians are struggling with worsened mental health, many of which reported feeling worried, anxious, and bored (click here for more details). An increasing amount of resources have become available to help people cope during these unprecedented times (click here for an example). One relatively quick and easy strategy that may provide some additional relief is increasing nature contact, or exposure to the natural world.

Nature’s Mental Health Benefits

A substantial amount of research suggests that spending time in nature can support better mental health2. Regardless of where nature is experienced – a backyard, an urban park, or in remote wilderness locations – its benefits are wide-ranging. Both passive and active engagement (sitting, walking, etc.) in outdoor areas with mostly natural features, including being around trees or bodies of water, have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and increase happiness, joy, and awe. Nature’s effects on well-being can also be quite fast-acting; even 15-20 minute walks in nature can boost mood and vitality.

People who spend more time in nature tend to feel a stronger sense of connection with the natural world (a construct known as nature connectedness or nature relatedness9). People with greater nature-connectedness not only engage in more environmentally-protective behaviours, but also report greater life satisfaction, personal growth, and purpose or meaning in their lives8. Connecting with nature may therefore help people feel happier and function better during these uncertain times.

Why is Nature Beneficial?

One explanation for nature’s well-being benefits is described by the Attention Restoration Theory, which suggests that attention is a limited resource that (like a muscle) is exhausted with use. However, attention can be restored through rest! Many daily activities require effort to focus attention, such as staying on work-related tasks amid distractions or tending to children’s needs and keeping them engaged. Even activities like checking social media or watching television (that may be perceived as restorative) can be mentally draining because they draw from the same attentional resource. The more exhausted this resource is, the more likely people are to experience poor concentration and negative moods. However,

Photo: Aaron Burden

fascinating stimuli provide a form of rest and recovery. Natural environments are restorative because they are inherently interesting and evoke soft fascination; an effortless form of attention (as opposed to more intense forms of fascination, like watching concerts or sports, which can consume more attention). Soft fascination also frees up “mental space”, allowing for more expansive and reflective thinking. Not surprisingly then, nature contact has been linked with better concentration and enhanced creativity.

What if Access to Nature is Limited?

Indirect exposure to nature, such as viewing nature images or videos, can also improve well-being. For example, watching a 30-minute slideshow of pictures of a park can be as effective in reducing stress as actually being in the park5. Stress recovery is also heightened when sounds of nature accompany nature scenes. Also, viewing nature images for as little as 10 minutes has been shown to reduce negative emotions, including anxiety and depression3. Evidence also suggests that viewing nature images that have high colour brightness, saturation, and contrast can help reduce boredom4. Although simulated nature is not as effective in improving well-being as actual nature experiences7, it may serve as a supplement when access to nature areas is limited. Click on the links below for examples of alternative ways to connect with nature:

  • Virtual Walking Trails
  • Nature Sounds
  • EarthCam

nnecting with nature is not a cure-all for mental health struggles, but it may aid in coping as people adjust to a rapidly changing world. In fact, it has been argued that nature contact is an underutilized therapeutic strategy, and that a connection with nature is necessary for human well-being and functioning1. Research shows that people tend to underestimate nature’s benefits, so prioritizing regular nature contact may be essential to support your mental health and to feel more connected.

Written by Danielle Lachance, MSc. Psych

 

References

  1. Baxter, D. E., & Pelletier, L. G. (2019). Is nature relatedness a basic human psychological need? A critical examination of the extant literature. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne, 60(1), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000145
  2. Bratman et al. (2019). Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Science Advances, 5: eaax0903. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aax0903
  3. Brooks, A. M., Ottley, K. M., Arbuthnott, K. D., & Sevigny, P. (2017). Nature-related mood effects: Season and type of nature contact. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 54, 91-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2017.10.004
  4. Igou, E. R., & Van Tilburg, W. A. P, (2019). A remedy for boredom: Natural environments as a psychological resource. In A. A. Donnelly & T. E. MacIntyre (Eds.), Physical activity in natural settings: Green and blue exercise. Routledge.
  5. Kjellgren, A., & Buhrkall, H. (2010). A comparison of the restorative effect of a natural environment with that of a simulated natural environment. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 30, 464-472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2010.01.011
  6. Mackay, C. M. L., & Schmitt, M. T. (2019). Do people who feel connected to nature do more to protect it? A meta-analysis. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 65: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.101323
  7. McMahan, E., & Estes, D. (2015). The effect of contact with natural environments on positive and negative affect: A meta-analysis. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 10, 507–519. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2014.994224
  8. Pritchard et al. (2019). The relationship between nature connectedness and eudaimonic well-being: A meta-analysis. Journal of Happiness Studies, 21, 1145-1167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-019-00118-6
  9. Tam, K.-P. (2013). Concepts and measures related to connection to nature: Similarities and differences. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 34, 64–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.01.004

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Kids & Communities Saving Turtles 🇨🇦 A National Charity to Help Our Oldest Relatives. 🐢 Follow us on Facebook or find us online @turtleguardians

Wildlife research is an essential service that can Wildlife research is an essential service that can, and still needs to be done during this lockdown order. Turtle Guardians staff and volunteers will be on designated routes (isolating and safely) conducting wildlife population research and turtle crossing surveys to help estimate mitigation potential on roads. Sign up as a volunteer Road Researcher to help collect further data as we are still putting up silt fencing at turtle hot spots. ⠀
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#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #ontarioturtles #paintedturtle #blandingsturtle #turtleconservation #wildlifeconservation #essentialservice #wildliferesearch #roadresearchers #citizenscience #lockdownorder #turtle
SAVING GRACE IN HALIBURTON: A reminder everywhere SAVING GRACE IN HALIBURTON: A reminder everywhere to look out for turtles, and near Haliburton Village keep an eye out for Grace. Grace is a large snapping turtle whose hibernation site is near the Haliburton Highlands Secondary School and feeding grounds extend beyond Head Lake across 118, and around Gelert Road. Grace is likely over 125 years old judging by her carapace (upper shell) size, and could be as old as 200 years according to scientific studies. She is the largest turtle we, at Turtle Guardians, have had the honour of meeting in the county. She is 39cm, which is very close to the record size of 42 cm found in this area of Ontario that we know of. Grace is not only notable because of her size, but she is also missing her right eye.⠀
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A gentle reminder to those in Hali to look out for Grace, and if you see her, take a picture, text us at 705-854-2888, and certainly "coach her" (because she is very heavy- and should never be lifted by her tail) in the direction she is heading. We are requesting that the municipality place dedicated signs in this area to help ensure she is kept alive... but until then, please spread the word.

#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #snappingturtle #grace #watch4turtles #watchforturtles #ontarioturtles #turtleconservation #haliburtonhighlands
INJURED TURTLES: This Weekend Leora had the privil INJURED TURTLES: This Weekend Leora had the privilege of helping out with the re-setting of this turtle's shell at Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary. This Blanding's Turtle was brought in in very rough shape, however, Monica at the sanctuary has magic hands and she was able to put all the puzzle pieces back together. They named him Leo, for his bravery, because the whole process took 2 hours and he felt the pain, despite receiving medication. Leo is expected to make a full recovery, which will take up to a year at the sanctuary, before he can be released in nature at the location he was found. Turtles are remarkable. You may be surprised what injuries they can come back from. ⠀
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If you find an injured turtle, whether it has a mild injury or an extreme one, PLEASE do not leave the turtle to suffer. Instead, take note of the location (so it can be returned to its territory), put it in a dry container with lots of oxygen, do not feed it, and call your nearest wildlife rehabilitation centre, or the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre at 705-741-5000 where there are teams of volunteers that will help to transport the turtle to this "turtle hospital."⠀
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#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #ontarioturtles #blandingsturtle #turtleconservation #watchforturtles #wildliferehabilitation #wildlifeconservation #woodlandswildlifesanctuary
Turtles are on the move! If you spot a turtle, rep Turtles are on the move! If you spot a turtle, report your sighting to our new project on iNaturalist. Search for "Turtle Guardians" then simply take a picture of the turtle, and upload it when you are nearby; it will geolocate the position of the turtle, and then biologists will confirm the species for you. Reporting your sightings helps scientists and conservationists estimate where to put turtle underpasses and fencing, and helps ongoing research related to turtle populations in Ontario.⠀
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#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #blandingsturtle #ontarioturtles #turtleconservation #inaturalist #citizenscience #reportsightings #watch4turtles #watchforturtles
ALERT! Turtles, including large, old snapping turt ALERT! Turtles, including large, old snapping turtles are on the roads already. This picture was taken yesterday by one of our Volunteer Road Researchers in Peterborough who helped this adult snapping turtle across a busy road. This is happening a couple of weeks earlier than in previous years so please drive carefully and pass on the message! Always move a turtle in the direction it is travelling and never lift a turtle by the tail, this can cause serious damage to the spine! Snapping turtles can be lifted by the shell from behind their back legs or from underneath like a pizza box! For more information on volunteer positions visit us online at turtleguardians.com/volunteer
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#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #watch4turtles #snappingturtle #ontarioturtles #roadresearcher #volunteer #citizenscience #turtleconservation #speciesatrisk #wildlifeconservation
Turtles are already on the roads and we might star Turtles are already on the roads and we might start seeing painted turtle hatchlings earlier than expected. These little guys often stay in their nests over the winter and emerge in the spring in search of wetlands to call their home. With warmer than average temperatures this year, these hatchlings could start travelling very soon. Keep your eyes open for tiny rocks with tails moving on the road! Hatchlings can be hard to spot but with a little practice you will start seeing them everywhere! You can help by moving hatchlings off the road right into the ditch or ideally, an adjacent wetland to the road. ⠀

Photo credit: Jory Mullen
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#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #watch4turtles #paintedturtles #ontarioturtles #hatchlings #babyturtles #babyanimals #turtlefacts #turtleconservation #wildlifeconservation
Happy Easter! We hope that everyone is having a pe Happy Easter! We hope that everyone is having a peaceful weekend and enjoying their time at home!⠀
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#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #stinkpot #muskturtle #easterweekend #ontarioturtles #turtlesofinstagram #reptilesofinstagram #lockdown #happyeaster #mica
April showers bring May flowers! It won't be long April showers bring May flowers! It won't be long until you start seeing snapping turtles crossing the road- especially in the rain! Snapping turtles are the most intimidating turtles in Ontario to help across the road, but once you know how to move them, it won't phase you! Always move a turtle in the direction it was travelling; you can avoid being "snapped" at by picking it up from the back of the shell behind the back legs, or by sliding your hand underneath the shill and lifting it like a pizza box! If the turtle is too heavy, you can slide a car mat underneath it or a shovel to drag it across the road! Never lift a turtle by its tail; this can permanently damage the spine. ⠀
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#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #snappingturtle #timothy #ontarioturtles #turtleconservation #watch4turtles #turtlefacts #howtomoveasnapper #turtlesofinstagram #reptilesofinstagram #aprilshowers #calendarphoto
#Appreciationpost ⠀ Students for Turtle Egg Cons #Appreciationpost ⠀
Students for Turtle Egg Conservation is a group of fourth year students at Queen's University that are raising money to buy surveillance and nest site monitoring equipment to help protect turtles in Ontario (link in bio)! All of Ontario's turtle species are at risk of disappearing due to various factors including habitat loss, road mortality and egg poaching. Turtles take a long time to reach maturity, and their offspring have less than a 1% chance reaching adulthood, so every egg counts! Not only are they helping to protect these incredible animals, but they will be donating the equipment they purchase to Turtle Guardians! We are more excited than ever for the upcoming nesting season and incredibly grateful for this group! Click the link in our bio to donate!⠀
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#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #turtleconservation #ontarioturtles #queensuniversity #gofundme #conservationcharity #turtlefacts #watch4turtles #wildlifeconservation #conservationbiology #babyturtles #babyanimals #hatchlings #blandingsturtle #studentsforturtleeggconservation
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