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Physical Activity Supporting Connection to Nature, and Helping to Maintain Wellbeing during the Covid-19 Restrictions in England

Author

Listed:
  • Liz O’Brien

    (Forest Research, Social and Economic Research Group, Farnham GU10 4LH, UK)

  • Jack Forster

    (Forest Research, Social and Economic Research Group, Farnham GU10 4LH, UK)

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions put in place to prevent or reduce the spread of the disease led to anxiety, concern and stress for many people. In England restrictions varied at different times of the year, and throughout this time there was a lot of attention focused on the importance of exercise and on engaging with nature to maintain wellbeing. We undertook an online survey that ran for six weeks in June/July 2020 and gained a response from 2115 people, of which 25% were male and 74% female, with 35% aged 16–44 and 65% aged 45+. This survey focused on people who were already interested or engaged with nature. We explored whether being physically activity changed or not, if being active impacted people’s wellbeing and whether those who were active benefited from connecting to nature. We found that those meeting the government recommended levels of physical activity in the previous week, of 150 min, were more likely to maintain their overall wellbeing through feeling that the things they did in their life were worthwhile ( p < 0.0001) and reported an increase in feelings of connection to nature ( p < 0.0001). While those who did less than 30 min of physical activity in the previous week were less happy ( p < 0.0001) and more anxious than usual ( p < 0.0001). The research highlights the importance of physical activity and contact with nature and how these can play important roles in maintaining people’s everyday wellbeing under extremely difficult national circumstances.

Suggested Citation

  • Liz O’Brien & Jack Forster, 2021. "Physical Activity Supporting Connection to Nature, and Helping to Maintain Wellbeing during the Covid-19 Restrictions in England," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-13, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4585-:d:543759
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Venter, Zander & Barton, David & gundersen, vegard & Figari, Helene & Nowell, Megan, 2020. "Urban nature in a time of crisis: recreational use of green space increases during the COVID-19 outbreak in Oslo, Norway," SocArXiv kbdum, Center for Open Science.
    2. Zhanjia Zhang & Weiyun Chen, 2019. "A Systematic Review of the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Happiness," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 1305-1322, April.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Niamh Smith & Ronan Foley & Michail Georgiou & Zoë Tieges & Sebastien Chastin, 2022. "Urban Blue Spaces as Therapeutic Landscapes: “A Slice of Nature in the City”," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Andy Pringle & Nicky Kime & Stephen Zwolinsky & Zoe Rutherford & Clare M. P. Roscoe, 2022. "An Investigation into the Physical Activity Experiences of People Living with and beyond Cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-20, March.

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