“I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four hours a day at least—and it is commonly more than that—sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements.” —Henry David Thoreau
In his 1861 essay “Walking,” transcendentalist writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau extolled the virtues, both physical and mental, of communing with nature. While the psychological and physiological benefits of human connection with the natural environment are well established, modern science has taken a closer look at these interactions. Today’s researchers often rely on interdisciplinary approaches that blend psychology, physiology, neuroscience, and environmental science to investigate the mechanisms behind nature’s restorative effects on mind and body. With continued urban growth and shrinking access to wild rural spaces, as well as the digitization of our daily lives, this field has become more relevant than ever.
Researchers study human interactions with nature to better understand the tangible health and psychological benefits associated with exposure to natural environments, such as reduced stress, improved mood, and enhanced cognitive function. Theories such as the Biophilia Hypothesis and Attention Restoration Theory (ART) suggest that humans have a built-in affinity for nature, which can support mental and emotional well-being. Psychophysiological research seeks to uncover the processes underlying these effects and to compare how different environments—whether urban, natural, or virtual—impact our bodies and minds.
The study of human-nature interaction encompasses a wide range of practical applications, including healthcare and mental wellness. Beyond health applications, this field informs decisions and policies regarding urban planning and architecture, such as the design of biophilic buildings and green spaces in cities. Research also aims to help individuals focus their attention, enhance creativity, and promote emotional well-being in both work and educational settings.
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology examined how immersion in nature and exposure to nature-related images affect attention and could be used in attention restoration therapy and related applications. Researchers measured participants’ neural activity before, during, and after a four-day group camping trip in Utah using electroencephalography (EEG) to capture reward positivity (RewP), a brain signal associated with reward processing. During these periods, researchers measured how participants responded to extrinsic rewards, including monetary incentives. To ensure data integrity and minimize motion artifacts in the outdoor setting, the team utilized BIOPAC’s wireless BioNomadix EEG system and verified electrode contact using the EL-CHECK impedance checker. The study’s findings showed a significant decrease in neural responsiveness to extrinsic (monetary) rewards following immersion in nature. This suggests that increased time spent immersed in natural environments may recalibrate the brain’s reward sensitivity and promote intrinsic motivation. These findings have implications for a variety of behaviors related to extrinsic stimuli, such as the treatment of addiction.
Not all research into human-nature interactions focuses on immersion in real-world environments. With the evolution of virtual reality (VR) technology, new research leverages artificial environments to elicit biophilic responses. A study by researchers at the Southwest Jiaotong University School of Architecture in China, published in Frontiers in Public Health, investigated how exposure to biophilic design elements affects stress recovery in older adults. A group of 25 participants over the age of 60 were exposed to stressors and then underwent sessions with randomized VR environments that included green walls and outdoor views. The researchers measured two key physiological signals: heart rate variability (HRV), which assesses parasympathetic activity, and skin conductance level (SCL), a marker of sympathetic arousal. Electrocardiogram (ECG) data were collected using a BIOPAC ECG amplifier, while electrodermal activity was gathered via an EDA amplifier. Both signals were recorded using a BIOPAC data acquisition and analysis system. Results found that participants exposed to environments with green features demonstrated significantly higher HRV and lower SCL, indicating enhanced autonomic recovery and reduced stress. These findings suggest that the biophilic benefits of nature exposure can be made available to individuals virtually when real-world immersion is not possible or available.
As these studies demonstrate, there exists a wide and varied frontier to explore how human interaction with nature shapes our physiological, neurological, and psychological well-being. For more information on the tools to assist with such research, visit our Webinars library for detailed video trainings on how to use these technologies in your nature-related study.
Whether your study participants are hitting the trail, climbing a mountain, or just relaxing in the garden, BIOPAC customer service reps are ready with the right solutions to take your next research project back to nature.
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