Research on nature and health has expanded rapidly in recent decades. Applied scientists have examined how different forms and doses of nature exposure influence well-being, while basic scientists have explored mechanisms underlying psychological restoration. Together, these efforts have advanced our understanding of human-environment interactions and informed evidence-based practices.


This presentation highlights findings from my research and that of others across four central domains, while identifying critical questions that remain:


Nature, Restoration, and Health: Findings consistently show that even brief nature exposure promotes psychological restoration and physiological relaxation. Restoration theories contend that nature either helps replenish fatigued cognitive resources to improve the ability to cope with stressors and or shifts attention from persistent demands, ultimately resulting in decreased stress and improved health. The Biophilia Hypothesis proposes that natural cues - like listening to a bird's song or enjoying a landscape of wildflowers - signal safety and harmony, triggering innate stress-reducing responses rooted in evolutionary survival.
Forms of Nature Contact: The type or form of nature exposure matters. Direct, outdoor experiences yield stronger restorative and health benefits than indirect or indoor contact. Instruments that measure and thus provide the opportunity to compare forms of nature contact are essential for advancing both basic and applied research.
Dose of Nature Contact: As "Nature Rx" and "Nature as Medicine" initiatives grow, understanding dose is increasingly important. I operationalize dose considering duration, frequency, and or quality. Tools that identify minimum effective doses are especially valuable for intervention design and public health guidance.
Settings and Context: Nature-health relationships vary across environments such as workplaces, schools, and hospitals. Context-sensitive measurement is key to tailoring effective, equitable interventions.


I am excited to continue this interdisciplinary work focused on measurement and theoretical mechanisms to ultimately inform and promote healthy communities.