Natural or Urban Campus Walks and Vitality in University Students: Exploratory Qualitative Findings from a Pilot Randomised Controlled Study

Topaz Shrestha, Zelda Di Blasi and Marica Cassarino
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Topaz Shrestha: School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, T23 TK30 Cork, Ireland
Zelda Di Blasi: School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, T23 TK30 Cork, Ireland
Marica Cassarino: School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, T23 TK30 Cork, Ireland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-17

Abstract: Despite extensive evidence of the restorative effects of nature, the potential vitalizing effects of connecting with nature are yet understudied, particularly in higher education settings. University students face high levels of stress and anxiety, and may benefit from nature-based interventions that enhance positive states such as vitality. Using preliminary data from a pilot randomized controlled study with qualitative interviews, we explored the psychological experiences associated with a brief walk either in nature or an urban environment in a sample of 13 university students. The qualitative thematic analysis revealed that walking in nature was a more energizing and vitalizing experience than the urban walk. The nature walk was also found to have both affective and cognitive enhancing effects on participants. Our study highlights the usefulness of exploring subjective psychological experiences of interacting with nature, as well as supporting its restorative potential. Implications for further research and interventions are discussed.

Keywords: nature; vitality; energy; restoration; wellbeing; walking; health promotion; college students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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