Nature boosts meaningfulness in life, study shows.
Nature helps people find meaning in life, says a Finnish study involving 158 participants.
Why it matters
- Understanding nature's role in long-term well-being can inform urban planning and mental health strategies.
By the numbers
- 158 survey participants
- 20 workshop participants
- age groups 15-24 and over 60
The big picture
- Nature fosters self-acceptance, purpose, and connections across ages, but concerns about environmental degradation threaten these benefits.
What they're saying
- Older adults value intergenerational connections in nature, while youth seek solitude.
Caveats
- Study limited to Turku, Finland; relies on self-reported experiences.
What’s next
- Incorporating nature's role in well-being into urban planning and policy decisions.