The Science of Happy Places

What a Clean Environment Does to Your Brain and Body

Have you ever noticed how relaxed you feel after a walk through a park, along a beach, or in a forest? Science shows this feeling isn’t just in your imagination. Our brains and bodies are wired to respond positively to healthy natural environments. And in an age where we are increasingly connected to our screen devices, a good dose of nature therapy is perhaps just what many of us need!

Nature’s Stress-Relief Effect

Cortisol is our body’s primary “stress hormone,” produced by our adrenal glands. A 2023 study (Gao et al. 2023) found that even a short visit to an urban park reduced cortisol levels and increased subject wellbeing levels. The researchers argue that even small changes in our daily routines and habits can make a worthwhile difference to our health and wellbeing!

Why do we keep talking about wellbeing?

Subjective wellbeing is such an important marker of quality of life. It is related to both mental and physical health (Geary et al. 2023).

Stress Recovery Theory

Stress Recover Theory suggests that exposure to unthreatening natural environments naturally facilitates rapid recuperation from stress and mental fatigue compared to built-up, urban environments (Ulrich et al. 1991). We shift between a sympathetic (fight-or-flight) response in urban settings, to a parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) response in natural settings.

Think of it like this: What environment is more likely to induce feelings like tranquillity and pleasure? The view out of an office building facing a brick wall, or a lush green garden?

Forest Therapy

Ever heard of a traditional Japanese custom called forest bathing? Immersing ourselves in forest settings can do wonders for our psychological and physiological well-being. Trees release invisible compounds called phytoncides into the air, and inhaling these compounds can have immunological benefits (Lew et al. 2024). Phytoncides have been found to significantly increase natural killer (NK) cell activity and perforin content in humans (Gao et al. 2024)—the cells our body uses to destroy virus-infected cells and cancer cells.

The Power of Colour

Green spaces—those with predominately green elements, such as grass, plants or trees—and blue spaces—those dominated by a watery element, such as a lake, river or coast—can have positive impacts on our mental health and wellbeing (Geary et al. 2023). Access to greenery is linked to reduced anxiety and improved subjective wellbeing, while water often promotes feelings of relaxation, awe and connection.

“Green calm below, blue quietness above” John Greenleaf Whittier

Why Littered Environments Stress Us Out

No one likes to see litter! It’s unpleasant to look at and we know it harms wildlife. And there is science behind why we can get stressed out in littered environments… Humans naturally assess their surroundings for signs of safety and wellbeing. Litter, neglect and environmental damage can trigger subtle feelings of discomfort or stress. Untidy spaces can influence us to perceive an area as neglected (and contribute to more litter and even crimes such as vandalism, thanks to the Broken Windows theory).

Beautiful Spaces Create Happier Communities

Well-maintained environments foster pride, belonging and social connection. Clean, cared-for spaces encourage people to spend time outdoors (and we know that comes with all the health benefits we have mentioned!).

Attractive public spaces support social interaction and community wellbeing. Environmental stewardship benefits both individual health and collective happiness.

Simple Ways to Create Happy Places

• Pick up litter during walks. Make it a habit to bring something to put litter in.
• Join (or organise) local clean-up events.
• Care for local parks, gardens and waterways. Ask your local Council if there is a volunteer group already formed to care for a particular special space near your home.
• Encourage others to respect shared spaces. Sometimes it just takes one person to begin caring for an area before others join in!

Advancements in urbanisation and technology have many benefits. But it is important for us to remember how these changes may negatively impact us. Beautiful spaces do more than look good—they help us feel good. From lowering stress hormones to restoring mental focus, clean and natural environments play a powerful role in our wellbeing.

WRITTEN BY: Madeleine Coyle (KAB Copywriter – Volunteer)

References

Gao, J., Mancus, G. C., Yuen, H. K., Watson, J. H., Lake, M. L., & Jenkins, G. R. (2023). Changes in cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone levels immediately after urban park visits. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 33(2), 206–218. https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2021.2013454

Gao, D., Shen, J., Gao, Y., & Zhang, Z. (2024). The Beneficial Elements in Forest Environment Based on Human Health and Well-Being Perspective. Forests (19994907), 15(9), 1604. https://doi.org/10.3390/f15091604

Geary R.S., Thompson D.A., Garrett J.K., Mizen A., Rowney F.M. & Song J. (2023). Green–blue space exposure changes and impact on individual-level well-being and mental health: a population wide dynamic longitudinal panel study with linked survey data. Public Health Research,11(10). https://doi.org/10.3310/LQPT9410

Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3), 169–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2

Lew, T. & Fleming, K.J. (2024). Phytoncides and immunity from forest to facility: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Pharmacological Research – Natural Products, 4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prenap.2024.100061

Quintela Do Carmo, G., Ayotte-Beaudet, J.-P., & Jordan, C. (2025). A systematic review of the impacts of nature exposure on the nervous system in children and youth: Implications for nature-based learning. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102788

Scott, E. E., McDonnell, A. S., LoTemplio, S. B., Uchino, B. N., & Strayer, D. L. (2021). Toward a unified model of stress recovery and cognitive restoration in nature. Parks Stewardship Forum, 37(1), 46–60.

Ulrich, R.S., R.F. Simons, B.D., Losito, E., Fiorito, M.A., Miles, & M. Zelson. (1991). Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 11(3): 201–230.