APS
2023 APS Annual Convention · 2023
How Does a Walk in Nature Impact the Brain: Exploring the Nurturing Effects of Nature
- Sonja Sudimac
Max Planck Institute for Human Development - Vera Sale
Max Planck Institute for Human Development - Simone Kuehn
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf - Simone Kuehn
Max Planck Institute for Human Development
Abstract
An fMRI intervention study with 63 participants demonstrated that a one-hour walk in nature reduced activity in the amygdala, stress-related brain region, whereas activity remained stable after an urban walk. This suggests that nature walks may alleviate disadvantageous effects of the city on stress-related brain regions and prevent mental strain.
Stress