Time grows on trees: The effect of nature settings on time perception

We examined whether nature exposure may be related to time perception. When estimating the length of time spent in nature vs. an urban environment, does the subjective estimate of experience duration change depending on the setting? We present evidence that an experience in nature can feel longer than the same experience in a man-made environment, independent of actual duration. Participants overestimated the duration of a walk if this walk took them through a nature setting but perceived an equally long walk through an urban setting accurately. The nature walk also resulted in a marked improvement in mood and reduction in stress compared to the urban walk. In sum, our studies suggest that nature exposure can slow down time perception.