Nature Enhanced Meditation: Effects on Mindfulness, Connectedness to Nature, and Pro-Environmental Behavior
Travis N. Ray, S. Franz, Nicole L. Jarrett, Scott M. Pickett
August 26, 2020 DOI: 10.1177/0013916520952452 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA 4-week online meditation program increased mindfulness, connectedness to nature, and pro-environmental behavior in 97 participants. Those who meditated with nature sounds showed a greater increase in connectedness to nature than those who meditated with spa-like sounds. The findings extend earlier cross-sectional work by showing that meditation can boost pro-environmental behavior and its proposed mechanisms.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Cross-sectional |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 97 |
| Population | Adults |
| Duration | 4-week online meditation program |
| Keywords | Psychology Environmental science |
| Key finding | Meditation paired with nature sounds produced a greater increase in connectedness to nature than meditation with spa-like sounds. |
Abstract
Previous research suggests that meditation, a mindfulness exercise, could result in increased connectedness to nature and pro-environmental behavior. Exposure to nature also is associated with these outcomes. It was hypothesized that meditation alongside stimuli reminiscent of the natural environment would produce enhanced effects. Participants (N = 97) were randomly assigned to complete a 4-week online meditation program consisting of a guided meditation paired with either nature sounds (“nature group”) or spa-like sounds (“control group”). Mindfulness, connectedness to nature, and pro-environmental behavior were assessed before and after the program. Meditation, in general, produced increases in mindfulness, connectedness to nature, and pro-environmental behavior. Additionally, the nature group had a greater rate of change in connectedness to nature when compared to the control group. The results extend previous cross-sectional research by demonstrating the beneficial effects of meditation on pro-environmental behavior and its theorized mechanisms, which may be informative for future research and interventions.