The Nature Effect

Are you happier outside?

In one 2013 study¹ one million iPhone notifications were sent to 20,000 Brits at various times of day, over a six-month period.

The app prompted participants to report their happiness.

Mappiness: A mobile data collection example | Better Evaluation — The app used in the study

The phone's GPS determined if the participant was outside or inside.

Turns out, those outdoors were much happier.

Compared to those inside, participants outside were "significantly and substantially happier", according to the scientists.

The Nature Effect

Charles Spence in his book Sensehacking² calls this the nature effect.

And the effect doesn't just boost happiness.

Researchers Kaplan, Jonides, and Berman³ had participants walk around either:

A lush green arboretum
Or downtown in a grey city

After, all participants were asked to do completely mentally taxing tasks.

Turns out, the nature walk made people significantly faster and more accurate at the tasks.

But nature's effects go beyond well-being and cognitive function.

Researcher Ulrich⁴ analysed recovery rates over a 10-year period in a Pennsylvanian hospital.

Turns out, patients recovered faster from gallbladder surgery if their room had a window looking out onto nature (rather than a brick wall).

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Okay, I'm off for a run (in the woods) — Phill

P.S. If you liked this, you'll love Charles' book Sensehacking.

¹MacKerron, G., & Mourato, S. (2013). Happiness is greater in natural environments: Evidence from real‑time data collection via iPhone app. Global Environmental Change, 23(5), 992–1000.

²Spence, C. (2020). Sensehacking: How to use the power of your senses for happier, healthier living.

³Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science, 19(12), 1207–1212.

⁴Ulrich, R. S. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science, 224(4647), 420–421

As a behavioural science practitioner, I believe in the peak-end rule.

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