Today, it is widely acknowledged that interactions with Nature positively affect restoration from mental fatigue and stress relief, enhancing focus and psychological well-being. However, quantifying these effects isn't always straightforward because they are typically assessed through subjective measures, making it challenging to precisely highlight the underlying cognitive responses. Moreover, existing research has predominantly focused on the positive effect on cognitive benefits provided by terrestrial landscapes, like forests and urban green spaces, while overlooking other ecosystems, such as coastal and water-dominated ones. Consequently, the potential of aquatic ecosystems and their landscapes to reconnect people with Nature and alleviate mental fatigue has been scarcely evaluated. In this study, we present the results of an experiment aimed at objectively evaluating the restorative qualities of a lagoon ecosystem in Northern Italy. After measuring participants' connectedness to Nature, we assessed their attentional performance through a test requiring sustained and active attention. Subsequently, the group embarked on a mindful walk along a trail, surrounded by the lagoon environment. After the immersive experience, we measured the perceived restorativeness value of the lagoon landscape, and the participants' scores on a second attention test administered postexcursion. Remarkably, the majority of participants exhibited improved performance on the attention test, with a significant reduction of 21.7% in the time taken for the post-excursion test, compared to the pre-excursion one. Our findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the positive impact of Nature on human mental well-being, and suggest that spending time in coastal and lagoon ecosystems, with their unique haracteristics, can significantly enhance efficiency in tasks requiring sustained active attention, while promoting relaxation and contemplation.
The effectiveness of immersive experiences in lagoon settings in restoring attention in adults
Alice Stocco
;Fabio Pranovi
2023-01-01
Abstract
Today, it is widely acknowledged that interactions with Nature positively affect restoration from mental fatigue and stress relief, enhancing focus and psychological well-being. However, quantifying these effects isn't always straightforward because they are typically assessed through subjective measures, making it challenging to precisely highlight the underlying cognitive responses. Moreover, existing research has predominantly focused on the positive effect on cognitive benefits provided by terrestrial landscapes, like forests and urban green spaces, while overlooking other ecosystems, such as coastal and water-dominated ones. Consequently, the potential of aquatic ecosystems and their landscapes to reconnect people with Nature and alleviate mental fatigue has been scarcely evaluated. In this study, we present the results of an experiment aimed at objectively evaluating the restorative qualities of a lagoon ecosystem in Northern Italy. After measuring participants' connectedness to Nature, we assessed their attentional performance through a test requiring sustained and active attention. Subsequently, the group embarked on a mindful walk along a trail, surrounded by the lagoon environment. After the immersive experience, we measured the perceived restorativeness value of the lagoon landscape, and the participants' scores on a second attention test administered postexcursion. Remarkably, the majority of participants exhibited improved performance on the attention test, with a significant reduction of 21.7% in the time taken for the post-excursion test, compared to the pre-excursion one. Our findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the positive impact of Nature on human mental well-being, and suggest that spending time in coastal and lagoon ecosystems, with their unique haracteristics, can significantly enhance efficiency in tasks requiring sustained active attention, while promoting relaxation and contemplation.
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