REVIEW PAPER
Impact of the natural environment on human well-being – a narrative review
More details
Hide details
1
Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland (Faculty of Medicine,
Department of Preclinical Sciences, Pharmacology and Medical Diagnostics)
Online publication date: 2025-07-07
Corresponding author
Aldona Molęda
Politechnika Wrocławska, Wydział Medyczny,
Katedra Nauk Przedklinicznych, Farmakologii i Diagnostyki Medycznej, ul. Hoene-Wrońskiego 13C, budynek C20, 50-376 Wrocław
HIGHLIGHTS
- Contact with nature on stress reduction demonstrated.
- The positive impact of spending time in the forest on human immunity demonstrated.
- The effect of nature on the reduction of pain has been demonstrated.
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Regardless of the advancement of civilization, humanity remains a part of nature and can derive various benefits from this coexistence.
Numerous studies prove that contact with living nature affects human mental and physical stability. Systematic exposure to nature has been
shown to be an excellent prophylaxis for mood and cognitive disorders, as well as protecting against the development of civilization diseases
and improving physical fitness. Exposure to the natural environment also has a positive effect on immunity and optimizes responses to stress
or pain. Contact with nature can be realized in many ways – being in the woods, walking in the park and around flowerbeds, gardening,
including touching plants, or contemplating landscapes. The purpose of this paper is to present selected studies showing the positive impact
of nature on human well-being regardless of their age, as well as to promote various beneficial forms of exposure to the natural environment.
The presented research justifies the inclusion of green areas in urban planning. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(4)