Fleming and teammates confirm the benefits of seeing nature. They share that “Using eye-tracking technology, we experimentally explored the relationships between intentional visual attention to natural (green) and human-made (grey) elements in urban areas and their association with well-being measures. Participants took a 45-min outdoor walk that simulates a walk to and from work. . . . groups instructed to direct their visual attention to green, grey or a mix of both infrastructures exhibited differences in negative and positive affect, anxiety and perceived restorativeness. . . . people who focused more on green features reported a decrease in anxiety and higher perceived restorativeness. In contrast, those who spent more time viewing grey elements reported increased anxiety and lowered perceived restorativeness. . . . Viewing trees showed the strongest association with well-being measures compared to other natural elements.”
Whitney Fleming, Brian Rizowy, and Assaf Shwartz. 2024. “The Nature Gaze: Eye-Tracking Experiment Reveals Well-Being Benefits Derived from Directing Visual Attention Towards Elements of Nature.” People and Nature, https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10648