Nurturing well-being through nature-based intervention: The mediating role of mindfulness state
Journal
Journal of Environmental Psychology
Journal Volume
110
Start Page
102849
ISSN
0272-4944
Date Issued
2026-03
Author(s)
Abstract
Hedonic well-being and eudaimonic well-being, respectively, emphasize maximizing pleasure and personal growth. While previous research has demonstrated that nature-based interventions enhance both forms of well-being, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Notably, mindfulness and nature-based interventions share overlapping benefits, including reduced fatigue and enhanced vitality, and thus, we hypothesize that mindfulness serves as a critical mediating mechanism through which nature-based interventions foster well-being. We also explore whether moments with higher states of mindfulness during nature-based interventions are associated with greater well-being outcomes. Study 1 employed the experience sampling method to measure happiness, stress, and autonomous motivation during intervention periods compared with those in baseline days, while Study 2 utilized the day reconstruction method to assess happiness and nature connectedness. Multilevel regression analyses revealed that, compared to baseline days, nature-based interventions increased happiness and decreased stress while enhancing autonomous motivation and nature connectedness. Importantly, mindfulness states mediated the relationship between nature-based intervention and well-being outcomes. Furthermore, during the nature-based intervention, activities with moments of heightened mindfulness were associated with enhanced well-being. This research highlights mindfulness states as a mediating mechanism in nature-based interventions and suggests that incorporating mindfulness elements into future nature-based intervention designs can maximize their beneficial impact on well-being.
Subjects
Day reconstruction method
Experience sampling method
Mindfulness state
Nature-based intervention
Well-being
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Type
journal article