TY - CHAP
T1 - Health benefits of nature experience
T2 - Psychological, social and cultural processes
AU - Hartig, Terry
AU - Van Den Berg, Agnes E.
AU - Hagerhall, Caroline M.
AU - Tomalak, Marek
AU - Bauer, Nicole
AU - Hansmann, Ralf
AU - Ojala, Ann
AU - Syngollitou, Efi
AU - Carrus, Giuseppe
AU - Van Herzele, Ann
AU - Bell, Simon
AU - Podesta, Marie Therese Camilleri
AU - Waaseth, Grete
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - In this chapter we consider how experiences of nature can affect human health and well-being. We first address the matter of 'what has been'; that is, we sketch the development of theory and research concerned with health benefits of natural environments, from ancient times to the current situation. This shows the current research to be a recent expression of a number of long-running, intertwined, social and cultural processes. We then discuss 'where we are now'; that is, we overview current theories and related research concerning processes through which nature experience might provide health benefits. These processes concern environmental preferences, psychological restoration, and learning and personal development. Finally, we consider 'where we are going'; that is, we consider some additional directions for research and we identify some issues that research will have to address in the foreseeable future.
AB - In this chapter we consider how experiences of nature can affect human health and well-being. We first address the matter of 'what has been'; that is, we sketch the development of theory and research concerned with health benefits of natural environments, from ancient times to the current situation. This shows the current research to be a recent expression of a number of long-running, intertwined, social and cultural processes. We then discuss 'where we are now'; that is, we overview current theories and related research concerning processes through which nature experience might provide health benefits. These processes concern environmental preferences, psychological restoration, and learning and personal development. Finally, we consider 'where we are going'; that is, we consider some additional directions for research and we identify some issues that research will have to address in the foreseeable future.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84900294362&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/978-90-481-9806-1_5
DO - 10.1007/978-90-481-9806-1_5
M3 - Chapter
AN - SCOPUS:84900294362
SN - 9789048198054
SP - 127
EP - 168
BT - Forests, Trees and Human Health
PB - Springer Netherlands
ER -