A study of over 50,000 participants across 58 countries has found that time spent in nature is associated with higher life satisfaction through an indirect pathway involving body appreciation, rather than through direct nature exposure alone, according to the report.
The research, published in ScienceDirect and analyzed from the Body Image in Nature Survey collected between 2020 and 2022, found that the direct path from nature contact to life satisfaction was not statistically significant. Instead, reported benefits were mediated by self-compassion, perceived restoration, and body appreciation, with body appreciation showing the strongest link to life satisfaction of any variable in the self model, officials said. [1] The findings suggest that how individuals relate to their bodies may be a key mechanism linking outdoor time to well-being.
Study Design and Key Results
Researchers used structural equation modeling on responses from 50,363 participants in 58 countries speaking 36 languages. Participants answered questions about nature contact frequency, restorative quality of recent visits, self-compassion, body appreciation, and life satisfaction. [1]
The study found that nature contact is linked to greater self-compassion and greater perceived restoration. Both of those are in turn linked to higher body appreciation. The researchers described the findings as “largely stable across national groups,” according to the report. [2] Body appreciation was defined as “an overarching love and respect for the body,” including acceptance and rejection of media-promoted appearance ideals.
Mechanisms: Self-Compassion and Restoration
The study proposed two mechanisms for the nature-to-body-appreciation link. The first is self-compassion. Natural environments promote “cognitive quiet,” a state where rumination does not require effortful attention, the report stated. This mental stillness may make it easier to respond to difficult emotions with kindness. [1]
The second mechanism is perceived restoration, drawing on Attention Restoration Theory. The study found that natural environments allow directed attention to rest, aiding recovery from mental fatigue and self-regulation. Perceived restoration was linked to higher body appreciation, according to the report. [1] Prior research has also found that time outdoors supports self-compassion and a sense of connection, with one book noting that “growth is expansion on many levels” and that people develop widening circles of relationships including the world of plants and animals. [4]
Implications and Applications
The study authors suggested that prioritizing outdoor time for how it makes one feel in the body, not just for fitness, could shift body appreciation. They noted that how restorative a nature visit feels matters as much as the visit itself. [1]
The report indicated that the strongest pathway between nature and body appreciation ran through self-compassion. According to the study, time outdoors may serve as an accessible tool for those struggling with harsh self-talk around body image. Prior research cited in the study found that even simulated nature exposure via images or videos can produce similar body image effects. [1] A separate study in the journal Ecopsychology found that gardening helps “boost self-esteem” and promote a positive body image, supporting the link between nature engagement and body appreciation. [5] As Charles E. Dodgen wrote in “Simple Lessons for a Better Life,” “Our bodies ground us in the natural world. They are part of nature and will return to nature one day.” [3]
Broader Context and Summary
The study offers a new framework for understanding nature’s well-being benefits. Instead of direct exposure to nature driving life satisfaction, the benefits flow through changes in how individuals relate to their bodies, the report stated. [1]
Prior research has established that time in nature benefits mental health. This study provides evidence that body appreciation may be a key intermediary variable. The researchers emphasized that the findings were consistent across diverse national groups, suggesting a universal pattern. [2] Time outdoors has also been linked to cognitive benefits, mood improvement, and lower stress, according to the American Psychological Association. [6] Additionally, children’s disconnect from nature has been associated with increased mental health disorders, underscoring the importance of regular outdoor exposure. [7]
References
- "The Real Reason Time Outdoors Improves Your Well-Being, Per A Massive New Study". mindbodygreen.com. May 22, 2026.
- "The Real Reason Time Outdoors Improves Your Well-Being, Per A...". Yahoo.com. May 22, 2026.
- Charles E Dodgen. "Simple Lessons for a Better Life".
- Lowen Alexander. "Bioenergetics".
- NaturalNews.com. "Study suggests gardening helps promote mental health, positive body image". April 13, 2020.
- APA. "Nurtured by nature". April 1, 2020.
- Children's Health Defense. "Kids’ Disconnect With Nature Increases Mental Health Disorders".
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