Don't force spending time in nature if it gives you no joy: Study
Emotional engagement with nature plays a central role in boosting well-being. The study suggests a shift in focus from just visiting nature to emotionally engaging with it as appreciating and enjoying nature can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being.
More research is needed to understand the complex relationship between physical contact with nature and well-being – but by emphasising the importance of emotional engagement with nature, the study provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between nature and human well-being.
Interestingly, as per the findings, physical contact with nature might not directly enhance well-being and could even negatively influence the relationship when considered alongside perceptual enjoyment. So, if people do not find joy in the visit, being in nature may actually reduce their happiness or life satisfaction.
'I am a survey methodologist, but subjective well-being, particularly happiness and life satisfaction, and environmental issues have been my research interests since graduate school,' said study author Pei-shan Liao of the Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences at Academia Sinica.
Pei-shan added, 'This publication is part of a series based on my research. Another key objective is to promote and validate the question items on nature contact and enjoyment. These items, derived from the ISSP 2020 Environment module, were proposed by the Taiwanese team to measure positive aspects of natural environment through intentional interaction. We are happy and satisfied with the results.'
For their study, the researchers used data from the 2020 Taiwan Social Change Survey, a nationally representative dataset collected from over 1,800 adults across Taiwan between June 2020 and February 2021. The survey focused on environmental issues and included questions about participants' frequency of outdoor activities, how much they enjoyed being in nature, their general happiness, and life satisfaction.
The researchers also accounted for several background variables known to influence well-being, including age, gender, income, marital status, education, employment status, religious activity, perceived health, and social status.
Researchers found that enjoyment of nature was a strong predictor of outdoor activity frequency, meaning that people who enjoyed nature more were also more likely to spend time outside. When examining happiness, they found that enjoyment of nature was consistently associated with higher happiness scores. However, physical contact with nature—how often people actually went outside—was not positively related to happiness. In fact, after adjusting for possible statistical bias, greater physical engagement with nature showed a surprising negative association with happiness.
'The negative association between visiting nature and subjective well-being, including both happiness and life satisfaction, surprised us,' Liao said, adding, 'We have tried different coding scheme for data analysis but the findings remained the same. It is possible that enjoying contact with nature makes people want to engage in outdoor activities more than they are actually able to, which may lead to dissatisfaction with their situation. Such results may also be attributed to the study's non-Western setting. It will be great to have data from more countries to further examine the issue.'
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Time of India
Early puberty alert: Artificial sweeteners may be changing your child's hormones, study finds
Children today may be facing earlier puberty than ever before, and artificial sweeteners could be playing a hidden role. A groundbreaking study presented at , the Endocrine Society's annual meeting, reveals that additives like aspartame, sucralose, and glycyrrhizin—commonly found in diet drinks, snacks, and even toothpaste—may disrupt hormonal signals and gut bacteria, especially in children with specific genetic traits. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The research, which tracked over 1,400 Taiwanese children, highlights growing concerns about the potential long-term developmental and health consequences of everyday dietary choices. How artificial sweeteners and genetics may accelerate puberty in children The findings come from the Taiwan Pubertal Longitudinal Study, where scientists monitored 1,407 children, analysing their sweetener intake via detailed food logs and urine samples. Out of these, 481 children showed signs of early puberty. Researchers also mapped each child's genetic profile, revealing that those consuming higher levels of non-nutritive sweeteners were more likely to enter puberty early—especially if they had certain gene variants that made them more susceptible. Artificial sweeteners are not biologically inert. Previous research by the same team had already shown that acesulfame potassium (AceK) can trigger the release of puberty-related hormones and elevate stress-related brain chemicals. Glycyrrhizin, a compound found naturally in liquorice, was also shown to alter both gut bacteria and gene expression associated with the timing of puberty. These changes may interfere with the body's endocrine signaling, resulting in earlier maturation. Boys vs Girls: How sweeteners impact puberty differently by gender One of the most striking aspects of the study was the difference in how boys and girls reacted to these additives: Boys were more sensitive to sucralose, a sugar substitute used in many diet beverages. Girls showed a broader vulnerability, being affected by a wider range of sweeteners, including glycyrrhizin and added sugars. These gender-specific reactions suggest that biological sex may influence how dietary chemicals interact with hormonal development. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Why early puberty is a concern Early puberty is not just a benign physical change—it carries multiple long-term risks: Emotional stress: Children undergoing puberty too soon may face mood swings, anxiety, and even depression, often before they are emotionally mature enough to cope. Stunted growth: While early puberty might start with a growth spurt, it can also mean growth plates close early, resulting in shorter adult height. Chronic health risks: Research links early puberty with an increased likelihood of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, and reproductive health issues later in life. Hidden sweeteners in everyday products: What parents need to know Sweeteners aren't just in soft drinks or desserts. Many children's food and personal care items—including flavored milk, diet snacks, chewing gum, and even some toothpastes—contain these additives. This widespread presence means children may consume sweeteners daily, often without parents being aware. The study's findings could have important consequences for both public health guidelines and parental awareness: Watch the labels: Parents should read ingredients carefully and limit children's intake of artificially sweetened products. Consult pediatricians: Discuss dietary habits with your child's doctor, especially if there are concerns about development. Advocate for change: As more evidence emerges, dietary recommendations may shift to address these early risks. Don't Be Fooled by 'Sugar-Free': Just because a product is marketed as healthier or low-calorie doesn't mean it's harmless—sometimes, these versions contain chemicals that pose other dangers. Also Read |
NDTV
22-06-2025
- NDTV
Model Dies After Seeking Treatment From 'Godfather Of Liposuction'
A Taiwanese model has tragically died after she was given a "milk injection" by a doctor, renowned as the "Godfather of Liposuction". Cai Yuxin, a car show model, believed to be in her 30s, boasted of tens of thousands of followers online. She had been desperately seeking treatment to cure her chronic insomnia when the procedure went south. Ms Cai sought sleep therapy last month at the recommendation of a friend and underwent the procedure, known as the "milk injection", at Fairy Clinic in Taipei -- a short-acting intravenous anaesthetic called propofol, commonly used for sedation and anaesthesia in clinical settings. Wu Shaohu, the clinic director and a prominent cosmetic doctor, administered the injection. However, soon after, the 'Liposuction Godfather' left the room, leaving only a male assistant in charge. According to a report in the South China Morning Post, a possible error in the setup led to an increased dose of anaesthetic being delivered within a short timeframe. Subsequently, Ms Cai suffered a cardiac and respiratory arrest. The panicked assistant reached for Mr Wu, who guided him via video call to perform CPR on Ms Cai while rushing back to the clinic. By the time the senior doctor arrived, Ms Cai had stopped breathing and the heart was no longer pumping blood. She was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, where she remained in a coma for 18 days. After showing no signs of revival, Ms Cai's family made the heartbreaking decision to withdraw her life support on June 12. Investigation underway Local authorities have launched a probe into Mr Wu on potential charges of causing serious injuries due to negligence and violating the Medical Care Act. The Ministry of Health and Welfare in Taiwan classifies propofol as a Schedule IV controlled substance, under the conditions that it is only administered by those qualified to do so under appropriate monitoring. "Similar incidents occur every year. It's truly deplorable. Medical personnel providing such services without proper airway management training are placing patients' lives in serious jeopardy," said Lai Xianyong, a Taiwanese anaesthesiologist. The tragedy has led to an outpouring of grief and tributes for Ms Cai on social media, where she was often compared to Lin Chi-ling, a famous Taiwanese actress, for her resemblance to Lin. Users have demanded strict action against those involved in the operation.
Mint
21-06-2025
- Mint
Influencer dies after getting ‘milk injection': Seasoned cosmetic doctor now accused of medical negligence
Cai Yuxin, a popular Taiwanese car show model, has died after receiving a 'milk injection'. It's a nickname for the anaesthetic propofol to treat her long-standing insomnia. The influencer, in her 30s, had over 32,000 followers on Facebook and was often praised for her beauty. She was often compared to actress Lin Chi-ling, known for Red Cliff (2008). On May 25, Cai visited the Fairy Clinic in Taipei for sleep therapy. One of her friends advised her to go there. The injection was given by Wu Shaohu, a well-known cosmetic doctor called Taiwan's 'Godfather of Liposuction', according to the South China Morning Post. Shockingly, Wu left after the procedure, leaving Cai in the care of an unqualified male assistant. Reports say the drip rate increased due to a mistake, causing a larger dose to be given quickly. Cai suffered a heart and breathing failure. Wu rushed back. By then, Cai's heart had stopped. She was taken to the hospital and kept on life support for 18 days. Her family ended it on June 12. Authorities are now investigating Wu for negligence and breaking medical rules. In Taiwan, propofol is a controlled drug that must be given only by qualified professionals. Experts say using it without proper care is dangerous and against medical ethics. 'Similar incidents occur every year. It's truly deplorable. Medical personnel providing such services without proper airway management training are placing patients' lives in serious jeopardy,' SCMP quoted anaesthesiologist Lai Xianyong as saying. Celebrity deaths due to medical negligence are not new. In fact, one such incident happened with pop icon Michael Jackson, who had also been suffering from insomnia. In 2011, MJ died after being given a strong mix of drugs by his personal doctor, Dr Conrad Murray. The 50-year-old legend had been struggling with sleeplessness and was depending on medications during his final days. A jury found Dr Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter. According to them, the doctor acted carelessly and caused Jackson's death. The trial included 50 witnesses and lasted 22 days.
