Happiness with connectedness to nature: A sneak peak of findings from the Active and Connected at Home Study

By Callista Ottoni
PhD Student, University of British Columbia
Twitter: @CallistaAnne

Spring is in full bloom in Vancouver. For many, this is an opportunity to spend more time outside, or get their hands dirty in a garden. Our previous research showed that older adults’ who interact with nature feel good mentally and physically.[1]

Our current research explores how access to outdoor spaces mattered for wellbeing during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked older adults to take photographs of places that helped them feel connected and at ease. We learned that uncrowded green spaces close to home were especially vital during lockdown. Below I share a few ‘preliminary’ findings. WESN members took these photos last spring (2020) as part of the UBC Active and Connected at Home study:

Our participants suggested that connecting with nature helped them feel calm and happy. How have you
connected to nature lately?

WESN is offering a Summer Forest Bathing program that begins on Sunday, June 6. It takes place from 2:00PM – 3:00PM every Sunday through to the end of August. Register at 604-669-5051 or [email protected].

1. Finlay J, Franke T, McKay H, Sims-Gould J. Therapeutic landscapes and wellbeing in later life:
   Impacts of blue and green spaces for older adults. Health Place. 2015 Jul;34:97-106. doi: 10.1016/j.
   healthplace.2015.05.001. Epub 2015 May 18. PMID: 25982704.