Studies have shown that spending time in nature, or even viewing nature scenes, can lead to reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as improvements in mood, cognitive functioning, and overall well-being. Engaging with nature can also lead to a greater sense of self-esteem, self-worth, and overall life satisfaction.
The Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS) is a psychological measure developed by Mayer & Frantz (2004) to assess the extent to which individuals experience a sense of oneness with nature, recognize the interconnectedness of all living things, and perceive nature as a source of beauty and spirituality. Empirical analysis shows that high CNS scores are linked to pro-environmental behaviors and increased subjective well-being.
The Nature Relatedness (NR) scale, developed by Nisbet, Zelenski, & Murphy (2009), evaluates the emotional, cognitive, and physical connection that individuals have with the natural world. According to empirical analysis, individuals with higher NR scores typically exhibit traits of openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, which are associated with improved emotional and mental well-being.