Nature videos help to relieve stress

The experiment involved almost 1,000 volunteers from different countries. First, all participants were shown a 10-minute video of industrial accidents (falls and heavy object collisions) that caused stress. Then, the participants were randomly divided into groups: some watched 10-minute videos of natural landscapes (a forest and a stream), while others watched urban scenes (pedestrian zones and street traffic).

Emotional reactions were assessed using questionnaires, which were completed before the stress video, immediately after it, and after watching the experimental video. The questionnaires recorded the level of fear, anger, sadness, as well as positive emotions and mindfulness. In parallel, physiological indicators were monitored using sensors: heart activity, sweating, and heart rate variability.

The stress video was indeed effective: Participants experienced increased negative emotions (fear, anger, sadness), decreased attention, and worsened physiological markers (increased sweating and changes in heart rate).

After watching the recovery videos, participants’ mood improved. Those who viewed nature reported more positive emotions and lower levels of anger compared to the group who viewed urban landscapes. Physiological indicators generally returned to normal for all participants, but with important nuances (some of which are subjective):

• Forest scenes helped participants calm down faster than urban scenes.
• The stream video had almost no advantage over urban views, probably because of the loud and distracting sound of the water.
• In aggregate, the effect of nature was primarily psychological: people felt calmer, although the rate of physiological recovery was not significantly higher than when watching any other videos.

Thus, nature on the screen does not instantly switch the body, but it significantly improves subjective well-being, which is also critical for recovery after acute stress.

Not everyone has quick access to parks and green areas. According to The Trust for Public Land, more than 100 million people (including 28 million children) live more than 10 minutes away from the nearest park. In such circumstances, digital nature becomes a simple and accessible tool for supporting mental well-being.

Videos of natural landscapes can be easily integrated into daily life, as they can be viewed on YouTube, played on a TV or computer, or displayed in waiting rooms, offices, and classrooms. For example, in US universities, some lecturers use two-minute nature videos at the end of their 90-minute classes to help students relieve their accumulated cognitive load.

Such videos can also be used in medicine, as natural scenes (even in virtual reality format) can be beneficial in medical offices, during exams, after stressful procedures, and more.