What nature does for us and how that helps that we do more for nature. Positive effects of outdoor activities on wellbeing and pro-environmental behaviour.

Abstract:

Being outdoors and spending time in nature has a validated positive effect on health and wellbeing (Abraham, Sommerhalder & Abel, 2009). Combining nature with activity and challenge is associated with even stronger outcomes. To investigate the diverse effects of outdoor adventure activities in nature Pomfret, Sand and May (2023) conducted a systematic literature review. The abstract, introduction, methodology and findings for 125 journal articles and textbook chapters were reviewed. Five intertwined metathemes and 16 subthemes, which reflect subjective well-being, emerged from this review. These formed the basis of the conceptual framework, which illustrates how adventure activity participants can gain, maintain, and enhance their subjective well-being. This supports previous work by Houge Mackenzie and Hodge (2020) on the relevance of wellbeing motives for the participation in adventure activities.

On the other hand, being in nature and benefiting from the power of the outdoors also leads to a stronger connection with nature and a more sustainable behaviour in everyday life (Knowles, 2019). This presentation will look at both sides, the positive effects of nature on adventure tourists, but also at how these activities can help to promote a sustainable way of living and an increased knowledge about environmental protection.

Literature:

Abraham A., Sommerhalder K & Abel T. (2009). Landscape and well-being: a scoping study on the health-promoting impact of outdoor environments. International Journal of Public Health, 55, 59-69.

Houge Mackenzie, S. & Hodge, K. (2020). Adventure recreation and subjective well-being: A conceptual framework. Leisure Studies, 39(1), 26-40. https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2019.1577478

Knowles, N.L.B. (2019): Targeting sustainable outcomes with adventure tourism: A political ecology approach, in: Annals of Tourism Research 79, 102809, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2019.102809.

Pomfret, G., Sand, M. & May, C. (2023). Conceptualising the power of outdoor adventure activities for subjective well-being: A systematic literature review, Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 42, 100641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2023.100641