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Stress Recovery during Exposure to Nature Sound and Environmental Noise

Author

Listed:
  • Jesper J. Alvarsson

    (Gösta Ekman Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Stefan Wiens

    (Gösta Ekman Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Mats E. Nilsson

    (Gösta Ekman Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden)

Abstract

Research suggests that visual impressions of natural compared with urban environments facilitate recovery after psychological stress. To test whether auditory stimulation has similar effects, 40 subjects were exposed to sounds from nature or noisy environments after a stressful mental arithmetic task. Skin conductance level (SCL) was used to index sympathetic activation, and high frequency heart rate variability (HF HRV) was used to index parasympathetic activation. Although HF HRV showed no effects, SCL recovery tended to be faster during natural sound than noisy environments. These results suggest that nature sounds facilitate recovery from sympathetic activation after a psychological stressor.

Suggested Citation

  • Jesper J. Alvarsson & Stefan Wiens & Mats E. Nilsson, 2010. "Stress Recovery during Exposure to Nature Sound and Environmental Noise," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:7:y:2010:i:3:p:1036-1046:d:7416
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. A. L. Brown & Andreas Muhar, 2004. "An approach to the acoustic design of outdoor space," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(6), pages 827-842.
    2. Bjørn Grinde & Grete Grindal Patil, 2009. "Biophilia: Does Visual Contact with Nature Impact on Health and Well-Being?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 6(9), pages 1-12, August.
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