Exploring the psychological rewards of a familiar semirural landscape: connecting to local nature through a mindful approach
Abstract
This study analyses a 53,000 word diary of a year engaging with nature through over 200 trips to a semi-rural landscape. Thematic analysis revealed two themes; the transition from observer to nature connectedness and the ways in which the natural environment was experienced once a connection was made. These themes are discussed in relation to theories that seek to explain the positive effect of nature and nature connectedness. The findings are important as they suggest that repeated engagement with local semi-rural countryside can lead to a mindful approach and psychological rewards that do not require travel into the wilderness. The work informs further research into outcomes and processes of nature based interventions such as: trip frequency, duration and diary keeping.Citation
Exploring the Psychological Rewards of a Familiar Semirural Landscape: Connecting to Local Nature through a Mindful Approach 2013, 41 (1):35 The Humanistic PsychologistJournal
The Humanistic PsychologistDOI
10.1080/08873267.2012.732156Additional Links
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08873267.2012.732156Type
ArticleISSN
0887-32671547-3333
ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1080/08873267.2012.732156