Nature Videos Boost Adolescent Mental Health: Study Shows Reduced Stress and Improved Mood

In a recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers investigate the mental health effects of brief nature videos in adolescents.

Adolescents exposed to the nature videos exhibited improved stress, affect, mood, relaxation, nature connection, and nature spirituality outcomes. These findings lend support to nature-based interventions (NBIs) as easily accessible preventive measures for mental health conditions, a growing concern in today’s world.

Mental health disease is a common and growing burden today, with an estimated economic cost of over £118 billion annually in the United Kingdom alone. Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent manifestations of mental health disorders, with depression associated with a high degree of recurrence of over 50% throughout a patient’s life.

The age of adolescence is debatable, with the World Health Organization (WHO) defining adolescence as ages 10-19, whereas other researchers argue that it is 10-24. Nevertheless, adolescence is a critical period of cognitive, physiological, emotional, and social transitions, which, as a result, increases the risk of stress and emotional distress in this age group.

Current estimates indicate that approximately 50% of all mental health disorders originate during adolescence, with their prevalence increasing to 75% by age 24. These findings have prompted scientists to highlight ages 12-24 as the key window for preventing and early intervention against depression.