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Previous studies have found that green spaces, such as parks and forests, and “blue environments,” such as being at the coast or close to a river, can improve body image.
Now new research, published this month in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, has discovered that white spaces, in this case a snow-covered woodland, can have a similar effect.
Led by academics from the Medical University of Silesia, in Katowice, Poland, and Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in the U.K., the research was carried out last winter and involved 87 women, with an average age of 24, who took part in small groups.
Before and after walking in a snowy woodland in the Silesia region of Poland, the participants completed a measure of their body appreciation. Before the walk, they also completed measures of connectedness to nature and self-compassion.
The study found that spending a short amount of time in nature—in this case approximately 40 minutes—results in greater body appreciation. Additionally, people who scored highly in the trait of self-compassion displayed greater improvement in body
appreciation.
As well as being the first study to examine the body image benefits of spending time in a snowy landscape, it is also the first to show that these benefits can be achieved when being in nature in small groups, rather than individually.
This shows a walking track through a snowy field surrounded by trees and a gorgeous sun set
The study found that spending a short amount of time in nature—in this case approximately 40 minutes—results in greater body appreciation. Image is in the public domain
Lead author Dr. Kamila Czepczor-Bernat, of the Medical University of Silesia, said, “A body of evidence now exists showing that nature exposure—living close to, frequenting, or engaging with environments such as forests and parks—is associated with
a range of physical and psychological well-being benefits.
“However, in contrast to previous studies which have focused on the impact of blue and green natural environments on body image outcomes, ours is the first to show the positive impact on body appreciation from spending time in snow-covered environments.
”
Senior author Viren Swami, Professor of Social Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said, “Natural environments help to restrict negative appearance-related thoughts and shift attention away from an aesthetic view of the body and toward
greater appreciation of the body’s functionality. Positive body image is important not only in its own right, but has other beneficial effects, including more positive psychological well-being.
“Our findings demonstrate the importance of ensuring that everyone can access restorative natural environments, which may be a cost-effective way of promoting healthier body image, and highlight that there are significant benefits of being outside in
nature, whatever the weather.”
About this nature and psychology research news
Author: Press Office
Source: Anglia Ruskin University
Contact: Press Office – Anglia Ruskin University
Image: The image is in the public domain
Original Research: Open access.
“The Impact of a Woodland Walk on Body Image: A Field Experiment and an Assessment of Dispositional and Environmental Determinants” by Kamila Czepczor-Bernat et al. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Abstract
The Impact of a Woodland Walk on Body Image: A Field Experiment and an Assessment of Dispositional and Environmental Determinants
Studies have shown that nature exposure is associated with a more positive body image, but field studies remain relatively infrequent.
Here, we examine the impact of a woodland walk on an index of state positive body image (i.e., state body appreciation), as well as dispositional and environmental determinants of body image improvements.
Eighty-seven Polish women went for a walk in Cygański Las, an ancient woodland, and completed a measure of state body appreciation before and after the walk. As hypothesised, state body appreciation was significantly higher post-walk compared to pre-
walk (d = 0.56).
Additionally, we found that the trait of self-compassion—but not the traits of connectedness to nature, perceived aesthetic qualities of the woodland, or subjective restoration—was significantly associated with larger improvements in state body
appreciation.
These results suggest that even relatively brief exposure to nature results in elevated state body appreciation, with the dispositional trait of self-compassion being associated with larger effects.
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