Nature-based wellbeing interventions: Grounded in evidence.
University of Washington: Nature & Health Speaks Series
October 11, 2022
As a wellbeing researcher, a substantial focus of mine is examining the relationship between the beyond-human natural world and our emotional and psychological wellbeing. I am particularly interested in developing and validating practical nature-based wellbeing interventions along the lines of a Positive Psychology Intervention (PPI: brief, self-administered, practical exercises or activities intentionally designed to facilitate wellbeing). In this talk, I will present evidence from a series of research studies involving the validation of such nature-based PPIs—interventions which involve more than simply asking people to “spend more time in nature”. I will also address why engaging with nature is often overlooked as a pathway to wellbeing, the extent to which it is under appreciated, and how the concept of nature and nature-based wellbeing interventions are commonly misunderstood. Future research directions in this area of nature-based PPIs will be discussed. To provide context, a brief overview of the Eco-Existential Positive Psychology framework, which grounds much of my work, will be provided. Questions and comments are most welcome!
