ZJU research team uncovers emotional power of nature

Have you ever found yourself distracted from your screen by the fleeting shadow of a bird outside your window, especially when you’re exhausted from work? In that fleeting moment, is your longing for nature stirred up deep within? This yearning may not be accidental; instead, it could be your inner self sending a signal. Studies have shown that exposure to natural environments is significantly conducive to emotional regulation and mental health. But what emotions do people actually experience in nature? And how exactly does nature help improve our emotional well-being?

Professor CHEN Shulin from the Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences at Zhejiang University is a seasoned birdwatching enthusiast. His deep connection with nature has brought him lasting joy and also piqued curiosity among his research team: Why does spending time in nature bring us pleasure?

What exactly is the nature of this joy? How does it affect our physical and mental well-being? With these questions in mind, the team embarked on a systematic scientific exploration.

“Psychology has long focused on research into negative emotions, but much less attention has been given to positive ones,” said Professor CHEN Shulin. “People often say ‘nature lifts my spirits,’ but what does that really mean? Is it about relaxation, calmness, or something more complex?”

On this basis, the team built upon previous research using qualitative research methods. They conducted exploratory studies by recruiting participants with rich experiences in nature observation — using intensity sampling within the university campus — and carried out multiple semi-structured focus group interviews.

“Our participants come from diverse backgrounds, including birdwatchers, flower enthusiasts, divers, and stargazers,” explained WANG Xuanyi, a doctoral student on the team. By applying a six-phase reflexive thematic analysis framework and reviewing both interview data and existing literature, the team identified six key categories of positive emotions commonly experienced in nature: relaxation, calmness, contentment, joy, interest, and awe.

Each of these six emotions is associated with its own unique psychological experience. “Strolling through a forest, listening to the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves, I feel as if I were part of nature. A deep sense of peace washes over me.” “I discover hidden joys in nature and come to appreciate the brilliance and beauty of life,” participants shared during their interviews.

The study found that contact with nature can directly elicit a rich array of positive emotions. “Our emotional capacity is like a fixed-size jar — when it’s filled with more positive emotions, there’s less room left for negative ones,” explained CHEN Shulin. While nature can’t remove the sources of stress directly, it can generate genuine happiness in the moment. Over time, these moments can accumulate and enhance psychological resilience, helping us better withstand frustration and pain.

Why can nature improve our emotional state? The study found that the generation of positive emotions and the regulation of negative emotions rely on a combination of six psychological mechanisms: sensory perception, attention shift, environmental appraisal, response regulation, cognitive reappraisal, and a sense of connection with nature. “Simply being in nature, but mentally distracted, won’t yield the same benefit. You must actively develop an affinity for nature to draw its positive energy,” said CHEN Shulin.

In a follow-up group intervention program developed by the team, one special activity stood out: guided barefoot walking. Participants, following the facilitator’s lead, removed their shoes and socks and walked barefoot and blindfolded on the grass. With their eyes closed, their usually neglected senses awakened, allowing them to focus intently on the texture and temperature of the earth and grass. This close contact fostered a powerful sense of connection with nature.

Drawing on decades of professional experience, CHEN Shulin noticed a typical emotional characteristic among students and faculty in the ZJU community: a strong drive for achievement. However, realities often fall short of expectations, leading to their feelings of dissatisfaction and, at times, burnout or exhaustion.

“There’s a huge demand for mental health support, but psychological services are in short supply,” said CHEN Shulin. While individual psychological counseling remains the most common form of mental health service, it relies heavily on human resources—counselors require extensive training and continuous professional engagement.

While human resources are finite, nature is abundant. Could nature help support our psychological well-being? Drawing from a wealth of domestic and international research, CHEN Shulin’s team is exploring and developing nature-based psychological interventions tailored to the Chinese cultural context.

“We’ve designed both indoor and outdoor nature-based group programs and piloted them on campus multiple times,” said CHEN Shulin. So far, participants have responded positively and the Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences has proposed a related initiative at this year’s faculty and staff congress, aiming to translate research insights into tangible improvements in the overall well-being of students and faculty.

The research team hopes that this series of nature-focused studies will inspire more people to go outside and connect with the natural world to find inner peace and joy among the trees, sunlight, ocean waves, flowers, and birds that are endlessly abundant and priceless.

Adapted and translated from the article by LI Xiang, ZHA Meng  
Translator: FANG Fumin  
Photo: The research team led Professor CHEN Shulin
Editor: TIAN Minjie