Discovering Joy Amidst a COVID-19 Lockdown
After more than a year in various stages of COVID-19 restrictions, many individuals are facing challenges on multiple fronts. If you're seeking to enhance your happiness amidst current circumstances, a recent study presents a scientifically supported solution to boost your mood.
The positive impact of nature on mental health has been validated through numerous studies over the years. The health benefits of spending time outdoors are so well-established that healthcare professionals sometimes recommend "nature prescriptions" to alleviate chronic stress, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a study published in Nature revealed that dedicating at least 120 minutes per week to nature is beneficial for health and overall well-being.1
In a world under lockdown, researchers monitored 286 adults in Australia in April 2020, when restrictions only permitted leaving homes for essential activities such as exercise.2
This new study investigated how happiness levels during a national lockdown were influenced by time spent outdoors, daily screen time (TV, computer, smartphone usage), and feelings of loneliness.
Using an experience sampling method, researchers gauged perceived happiness levels by checking in with the group three times a day at random intervals over a 21-day period.
Overview
The study found that happiness levels were higher when individuals were outdoors, with increased screen time and loneliness correlating with lower levels of happiness.
Furthermore, the study revealed that the impact of loneliness on happiness was less pronounced in individuals who spent more time outside.
Co-lead author Viren Swami, Professor of Social Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), acknowledges that while lockdowns may help curb virus transmission, prolonged periods of lockdown can negatively affect mental health, as past research has shown.
Dr. Swami's findings emphasize the positive impact of outdoor time on mental well-being during lockdown.
"Being outdoors offers the chance to escape the confines of home, maintain social connections, and engage in physical activity, all of which can enhance mental health," Dr. Swami explains.
In essence, spending time outdoors instead of being indoors and glued to screens can significantly uplift mood, according to Dr. Swami.
Gardening Benefits, Too
A study from Scotland explored the advantages of nature, particularly home gardening, during the COVID-19 pandemic.3
Based on a self-reported survey, researchers discovered that older adults in Scotland who spent more time gardening during the lockdown experienced notably improved emotional and mental well-being, as well as better sleep quality.
As an enthusiastic gardener, I'm not surprised by these findings, pandemic or not.
There will likely be more research highlighting the mental health benefits of nature once the COVID-19 situation is better controlled. Currently, experts have only a vague understanding of why nature is so beneficial to our well-being during stressful times.
Offers Optimism
Dr. Keith Tidball, PhD, author of Greening in the Red Zone and an expert on nature's role in fostering resilience, speaks to the hope that nature instills.
"For thousands of years, we coexisted with nature, as it was integral to our design," he explained in an interview.4 "It's only in the past few centuries that we've grown apart from it. However, we are inherently drawn to nature, especially in times of crisis, as we associate it with healing qualities of hope and optimism."
Personal Reflection
I believe that nature's magic lies in its ability to alleviate our concerns. Perhaps it's the slow-moving clouds or gentle breezes that divert us from negative thoughts. Researchers refer to this ability to captivate our attention as the "soft fascination" of nature.
I personally enjoy taking early morning walks when the air is crisp, or simply opening a window to let in fresh outside air to invigorate me. Even a brief trip to the mailbox can work wonders. It provides a moment to take a deep breath, gaze at the sky, and feel more tranquil and optimistic about the future.