Nature-related mood effects: Season and type of nature contact

Nature contact is beneficial for both health and mood but these effects have been tested only in studies conducted during summer months and the evidence for clinically-relevant emotions is limited. Three studies contrasted contact with nature vs. built environment in fall and winter seasons using either actual contact or pictures of nature. Mood measures included positive and negative affect, eudaimonia, and a standardized measure of stress, anxiety, and depression. Study 1 exposed participants to outdoor (natural) or indoor settings, Study 2 repeated the design with photographs of the two settings, and Study 3 directly contrasted actual contact with pictures of nature. The pattern of mood scores across the three studies suggest that both actual and pictorial nature contact benefits moods, but actual nature is more effective. These benefits were present in winter as well as warmer seasons.