Can you imagine how sunrise and sunset can affect our mental health? One study investigated exactly that. The research has been published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology and is titled “.Beyond blue sky thinking: circadian patterns and transient weather phenomena influence assessments of beauty, wonder, and value in urban and natural landscapes.It was carried out by researchers Alexander Smalley and Matthew White, from the renowned University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.
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The methodology used consisted of carefully presenting a series of images of urban and natural environments to 2,500 participants. The idea was to evaluate people’s reaction to scenes involving magical twilights. And the result was: they considered these landscapes simply amazing, much more so than at any other time of the day.
The researchers note that this sensation has the potential to improve the mood, social behavior, and positive emotions of the participants, which is very valuable for promoting general well-being.
Rare natural events
It doesn’t stop there! Scientists have also explored other rare natural events such as rainbows, thunderstorms, and starry, moonlit skies. And guess what? These elements also had a significant impact on how participants rated the environments presented, providing unique and enchanting experiences.
When asked if they would be willing to pay to experience these sights in real life, participants were open to investing up to 10% more to watch a sunrise, compared to an ordinary blue sky. This discovery reveals that these moments hold similar sentimental value to permanent features such as picturesque lakes or historic buildings.
Based on these findings, researcher Smalley suggests that including these natural events in our routines could be a real “green recipe” for taking care of our mental health.
“Our research suggests that getting up a little earlier for sunrise or scheduling a walk to watch the sunset can be well worth the effort. The “wow” factor associated with these encounters may be small, but they bring major bumps in feelings of beauty and wonder, which in turn can have positive effects on mental well-being.World Reports.
This study shows us that nature has transformative power in our lives. Enjoying these moments connects us to the beauty around us and gives us a new perspective on the world. So, how about taking a break from the daily rush and allowing yourself to enjoy these natural wonders?
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