A recent study by the department of psychology found that people tend to be happier while being out in nature, compared to being inside. A series of studies were conducted by psychology professor John Zelenski, director of Carleton’s Happiness Laboratory, and student Colin Capaldi.
Zelenski said they found that modern homes and institutions separate people from nature.
“The idea for this study comes from the fact that we adapted from natural environments. Its focus is that we should be happier in nature considering it is, as one would say, our natural stomping ground,” he said.
The studies consisted of taking about 100 students out for a walk along the river or within the tunnels, Zelenski said.
Participants would then fill in a questionnaire to see how they felt. They would rate their feelings on happiness and negativity. They would be given 10 emotions, then be asked to rate from ‘1’ to ‘5’ how much of this emotion they felt, according to Zelenski.
Zelenski said the general consensus after each of these studies, once numbers were crunched, was that the participants were happier being in nature than being away from it.
Capaldi, a psychology master’s student, said personal traits and the weather affected participants’ responses.
“The participants would definitely love nature when it is warm, then hate it when it is freezing cold out,” he said.
Zelenski said he became interested in the field of study from an idea in the social sciences and humanities that nature can improve health.
After a series of studies, he said he has found that humans tend to be happier when they spend time outside.
Zelenski also said nature can improve cognition. Just stepping outside can calm the mind, he said.
Capaldi and Zelenski both said that, as long as the weather is nice, they force themselves outside as much as they can.
Zelenski said when feeling stressed out from exams, going for a walk in nature can help you relax and can lead to more focused and better studying.
