As student mental health becomes an increasingly urgent issue, innovative approaches like nature-based mindfulness are gaining attention. With rising levels of stress among students, finding effective interventions is more important than ever. This autumn, our team at Case Study 7 led by researchers Anna Laura Toth and Freddie Lymeus, is deepening our study into how nature-based mindfulness, green prescriptions, and conventional mindfulness impact student well-being in Uppsala, Sweden. By examining these approaches, we hope to identify ways to reduce stress, improve mental resilience, and enhance cognitive function in the student population.
The Study Approach
Our trial compares four distinct interventions:
- Restoration Skills Training (Nature-Based Mindfulness) – Mindfulness practiced outdoors, in a calming forest setting near Uppsala.
- Green Prescription (Häng med oss ut) – A guided nature-based intervention encouraging students to engage in gentle outdoor activities.
- Conventional Mindfulness – Indoor mindfulness sessions that follow a structured program, commonly found in mindfulness apps or studios.
- Waitlist Control Group – A control group used to compare the effectiveness of the other three interventions.
Through this approach, we aim to explore the unique and combined effects of mindfulness and nature exposure on stress relief, cognitive restoration, and overall well-being. Each intervention offers a different combination of these elements, and our research is focused on understanding how they work together—or independently—to improve mental health.
Why nature and Mindfullness?
Both mindfulness and nature exposure have long been recognized for their benefits in reducing stress and enhancing well-being. However, little research has been conducted on the potential added benefits when both are combined. Does mindfulness become more effective when practiced in a natural environment? Or are there specific elements of nature exposure—like sensory immersion or attention restoration—that amplify mindfulness practices?
In our study, we are investigating whether integrating nature exposure with mindfulness practices can create a synergistic effect that enhances both mental health and cognitive recovery. By understanding how these elements interact, we hope to shed light on new strategies for improving stress management and overall mental wellness.
Collecting Data
Our study collects data through a variety of methods to capture the full range of impacts these interventions may have. Alongside self-reported surveys on mental health, mindfulness, and well-being, we are also measuring physiological responses, such as heart rate, to track the physical effects of the interventions. Additionally, we are using cognitive tasks to assess how participants’ attention and mental focus may improve as a result of the interventions.
One of the more exciting aspects of our study is the inclusion of pro-environmental behavior as an outcome measure. By investigating how mindfulness in nature may influence attitudes toward environmental sustainability, we aim to explore whether these mental health practices can also help foster a greater connection to—and care for—the natural world.
Practical Implications
As our research continues, we hope to identify which aspects of mindfulness and nature exposure contribute most to stress relief and mental resilience. These findings could have wide-reaching applications for improving student well-being across educational settings. If our study finds a synergistic effect between mindfulness and nature exposure, it could pave the way for new types of interventions, like creating green spaces designed for mindfulness and cognitive restoration. Such spaces could support not only student mental health but also broader community well-being.
In the future, our results may inform new strategies for integrating nature and mindfulness practices into school curricula, workplace wellness programs, and urban planning initiatives. By bringing these interventions into everyday spaces, we aim to create environments that support both mental and physical health.
Stay tuned as we continue to explore the connection between nature, mindfulness, and well-being. Our findings could have important implications for improving mental health outcomes and fostering a more sustainable, mindful approach to living.
What is Case Study 7?
Case Study 7’s main task in the Resonate Horizon project is to evaluate and expand the Restoration Skills Training (ReST) program in Sweden, a mindfulness-based nature intervention developed at Uppsala University. Through a four-arm randomized controlled trial, CS7 will compare ReST with standard mindfulness, nature-on-prescription, and a waitlist control to study its effects on mental health, resilience to fatigue, and recovery efficiency. The study includes a 6-month follow-up and multiple intervention sites to assess both the effectiveness and scalability of ReST for individuals with clinical stress and anxiety.