Wellbeing for all? Exploring the relationship between nature, wellbeing and nursing

Background
During the global coronavirus pandemic, many have discovered first-hand the therapeutic potential of nature, strengthening calls for healthcare workers to become more actively involved in brokering access to nature-based interventions for wellbeing. An extensive body of literature attests to the healing impacts of nature, yet there is a surprising paucity of literature examining the nature-wellbeing connection from a nursing perspective, providing limited opportunity for inclusion within curricula and practice. Given that the mental wellbeing of student nurses is of international concern, with high levels of reported stress and a hesitancy to seek support noted, an opportunity exists to increase the provision of experiential wellbeing initiatives. This PhD study explores the lived experience of student nurses, beginning with a critical interpretive synthesis (Dixon-Woods et al, 2006) of the evidence base examining its relevance to a nursing population.

Aims
Given the paucity of nurse-focused literature, this critical interpretive synthesis set out to explore the individual and collective components of the nature experience, asking ‘Does time in a natural setting reduce stress and improve the psychological wellbeing of adults’?

Main discussion points
The sampling frame identified within this study supports the therapeutic potential of nature, recognising its capacity to:

i) increase positive affect,
ii) decrease negative affect
iii) offer a sense of belonging
iv) promote meaning making
v) foster an interest in caring for the natural world.

Discussion
Identified benefits may be transferrable to a nurse education context, with the evidence suggesting that nature is effective in offsetting the impacts of severe stress and burnout (Sahlin et al, 2014) and that restorative effects are greater amongst the more stressed (White et al, 2013). Yet despite the overwhelming support, the emerging picture is problematic, highlighting the ongoing impacts of colonialism for people, planet and the research itself.

Conclusion
Our shared vulnerability provides a basis for further study, through which we can better understand the complex social factors affecting the human-nature relationship. The emerging insights may have capacity to inform future research, nurse education and our future relationship with the natural world itself.

References

Dixon-Woods, M., Cavers, D., Agarwal, S., Annandale, E., Arthur, A., Harvey, J., Hsu, R., Katbamna, S., Olsen, R., Smith, L., Riley, R., & Sutton, A.J. (2006). Conducting a critical interpretive synthesis of the literature on access to healthcare by vulnerable groups. BMC Medical Research Methodology. 6(35). [Online] Available from: https://bmcmedresmethodol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2288-6-35 Accessed (01/08/20).

Sahlin, E. Ahlborg Jr., G., Matuszczyk, J.F. & Grahn, P. (2014). Nature-Based Stress Management Course for Individuals at Risk of Adverse Health Effects from Work-Related Stress – Effects on Stress Related Symptoms, Workability and Sick Leave. Environmental Research and Public Health, 11, pp. 6586-6611.

White, M.P., Pahl, S., Ashbullby, K., Herbert, S. & Depledge, M.H. (2013). Feelings of restoration from recent nature visits. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 35, pp. 40-51.