The study, coauthored by Aaron Hipp of North Carolina State University, is an international, multi-site effort that aimed to replicate Roger Ulrich’s 1991 work now that new video media and research methods are available. Researchers across Europe and the United States recruited nearly 1,000 volunteers to test whether screen images of nature ease stress when people cannot access green space directly.
In the experiment, participants first watched a 10-minute compilation of workplace accidents to raise stress levels. They were then randomly assigned to view one of six 10-minute environmental videos: two natural scenes (a forest and a stream) and four urban scenes, including pedestrian areas and traffic. The research design followed a three-point measurement plan with questionnaires given before the stress video, after the stress video, and after the environmental video.
The questionnaire asked about fear, anger, positive emotions, sadness and attentiveness, while sensors recorded bodily responses such as heart activity and sweating. The stressful video produced clear psychological and physiological signs of stress: increased fear, anger and sadness; lower positive mood and attentiveness; more sweating; changes in heart activity and lower heart rate variability.
After the environmental videos, people who saw nature scenes reported more positive emotion and less anger than those who watched urban scenes. Physiological stress measures improved over time for participants regardless of the environment they viewed, and unlike the original 1991 findings the new study did not find faster physiological recovery after nature videos overall. Some scene differences emerged: the forest video appeared to calm and relax participants faster, while the stream video showed little benefit, possibly because of loud water sounds.
Hipp noted that the results show small but consistent mental improvements from viewing nature on a screen. Given that more than 100 million people, including 28 million children, do not have a park within a 10-minute walk, nature videos are an accessible option. They are easy to stream on platforms such as YouTube or TikTok and can be used in classrooms, waiting rooms and other built environments.
Difficult words
- replicate — do an experiment again to confirm results
- physiological — relating to the body's physical reactions
- attentiveness — ability to pay careful attention to something
- variability — amount of change or fluctuation over time
- accessible — easy to reach or obtain by many people
- recruit — find and sign up people for a studyrecruited
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could nature videos be used in classrooms or waiting rooms to reduce stress? Give specific examples.
- The article suggests the stream video showed little benefit, possibly because of loud water sounds. Do you agree this could explain the result? Why or why not?
- Given that many people do not have a park within a 10-minute walk, would you recommend nature videos as an alternative? Explain your reasons and any limitations you see.
Related articles
How social media in China shapes eating disorders
Online communities on platforms like Xiaohongshu use codes and posts that normalise strict eating and extreme thinness. Research shows more Chinese teenagers now show signs of eating disorders and experts say removal of posts is not enough.
Lower chemotherapy dose helps people 80+ with lymphoma
A study found that people aged 80 and older with a common lymphoma often do better with a lower chemotherapy dose. Researchers used data from community cancer clinics and say the smaller dose kept effectiveness while reducing side effects.
