Indoor nature exposure and influence on physiological stress markers. Issue 6 (18th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McSweeney, Jill; Johnson, Shannon; Sherry, Simon; Singleton, Jerome; Rainham, Daniel
• Is Part Of: International journal of environmental health research. Volume 31:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 636
• Page End: 650
• Publication Date: 2021-08-18
• Subjects: Indoor nature exposure -- heart rate variability -- environmental preference -- stress response -- biophilic design; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 363.7
• DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2019.1679357
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-3123

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Spending time in nature is beneficial for stress reduction and recovery. Using the properties of biophilic design, this study examined the influence of a nature-based indoor environment on physiological stress systems. An experimental study was designed to assess the influence of indoor natural elements on autonomic activity (heart rate variability or HRV), self-reported environmental assessments. No differences in heart rate variability were found between participants assigned to either condition. The room with natural elements was rated more positively than the room without natural elements. Participant preference had more impact on changes in HRV for participants without exposure to natural elements. The results suggest that natural elements in indoor environments may influence the regulation of stress response via environmental preference. Abbreviations : ANCOVA: Analysis of Covariance; ANS: Autonomic Nervous System; AVNN: Average of NN; DST: Digit Span Test; EAS: Environmental Assessment Scale; ECG: Electrocardiograph; fMRI: Functional magnetic resonance imaging; HF: High Frequency; HRV: Heart Rate Variability; INE: Indoor Nature Exposure; NR: Nature-Relatedness Scale; PANAS: Positive and Negative Affect Schedule; SAM: Search and Memory Test; SLSI: Student Life Stress Inventory; SMT: Sentence Making Test