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Seasonal Forest Changes of Color and Temperature: Effects on the Mood and Physiological State of University Students

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  • Eunjin Kim

    (Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea)

  • Hwayong Lee

    (Department of Forest Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

In this study, we attempted to analyze the effect of color and temperature changes in the forest environment over time on the mood and physiological state of university students. The survey was conducted four times considering forest changes such as new leaf appearance and growth, autumn leaf changes, and fallen leaves. The participants’ moods and physiological states were first evaluated in an indoor environment; a second evaluation was conducted after contact with the forest. The color visual information of the forest environment was analyzed through color extraction from photographs taken each survey day. The participants’ moods and physiological states were measured using the Korean Profile of Mood States-Brief and a heart rate variability measuring device, respectively. Changes in the forest experience according to the season had an effect on university students’ mood states. In particular, the effects of the spring forest experience included the relaxation of tension and the activation of vigor. This result is considered to be influenced by factors such as the season’s temperature and the green color, which is predominant in the spring forest. However, no physiological changes were found in the participants according to each season. The results of this study can lead to greater consideration of the role of color in urban forest planning for universities and other public spaces.

Suggested Citation

  • Eunjin Kim & Hwayong Lee, 2023. "Seasonal Forest Changes of Color and Temperature: Effects on the Mood and Physiological State of University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(14), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:14:p:6338-:d:1190830
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Yuqian Wang & Huahong Qu & Tong Bai & Qibing Chen & Xi Li & Zhenghua Luo & Bingyang Lv & Mingyan Jiang, 2021. "Effects of Variations in Color and Organ of Color Expression in Urban Ornamental Bamboo Landscapes on the Physiological and Psychological Responses of College Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-19, January.
    4. Masahiro Horiuchi & Junko Endo & Norimasa Takayama & Kazutaka Murase & Norio Nishiyama & Haruo Saito & Akio Fujiwara, 2014. "Impact of Viewing vs . Not Viewing a Real Forest on Physiological and Psychological Responses in the Same Setting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-19, October.
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    6. Chia-Pin Yu & Chia-Min Lin & Ming-Jer Tsai & Yu-Chieh Tsai & Chun-Yu Chen, 2017. "Effects of Short Forest Bathing Program on Autonomic Nervous System Activity and Mood States in Middle-Aged and Elderly Individuals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-12, August.
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