The Impact of Outdoor in Nature Mindfulness on the Mental Well-being of Children and Adolescents. A Mental Health and Cross-cultural Approach.
Alexandros Argyriadis, Emmanuel Kopanakis, Panagiotis Koutras, Konstantinos Louvaris, Antonia-Zoi Mammi, Maria Psychogiou, Dimitra Katsarou, Isabel Vieira, Olga Drakopoulou, Agathi Argyriadii
Materia socio-medica 2024 DOI: 10.5455/msm.2024.36.73-76 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Health professionals, patients, children, adolescents, and the general public |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Adolescents Children Mental well-being Mindfulness-based interventions mbis Nature-based interventions |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness practice is associated with reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression, and positive effects on brain plasticity and cognitive functioning, with potential added benefits when combined with nature-based interventions. |
Abstract
Mindfulness, originating from ancient meditation practices, has garnered substantial scientific interest in recent decades due to its potential to enhance various aspects of well-being. The rise of scientific interest in mindfulness has led to the development of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and other mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), which have demonstrated positive effects on stress reduction, emotional regulation, and cognitive flexibility. This study aimed to explore the characteristics and applications of mindfulness, investigate its impact on mental health, and assess the potential benefits of combining mindfulness with nature-based interventions in promoting the well-being of children and adolescents. This review draws from existing literature, scholarly articles, and empirical studies related to mindfulness, nature exposure, and their effects on mental health. The results highlight the manifold benefits of mindfulness in different populations, including health professionals, patients, children, adolescents, and the general public. Mindfulness practice has been associated with notable reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression, and has shown positive effects on brain plasticity and cognitive functioning. Furthermore, the integration of mindfulness with exposure to natural environments holds potential for enhanced stress reduction and cognitive restoration. The findings underscore the potential of mindfulness as a cost-effective and accessible intervention to promote mental health across diverse age groups and settings. Further research should explore the specific mechanisms and long-term effects of this integrated approach to optimize its benefits.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- Standardised Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Healthcare: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of RCTs PLoS One April 16, 2015
- Experimental Mindfulness Intervention in an Emergency Department for Stress Management and Development of Positive Working Environment Healthcare March 17, 2023
- The benefits of meditation and mindfulness practices during times of crisis such as COVID-19 Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine May 14, 2020
- What are the benefits of mindfulness? A practice review of psychotherapy-related research. Psychotherapy June 2011