Nature Helps Us Cope With Body Image Threats

Summary: Spending time in nature helps reduce negative feelings about body image and anxiety.

Source: Ecopsychology.

In a recent study, it has been observed that being exposed to a natural environment can be helpful for people dealing with negative body image. It helps in getting rid of the triggers of body image anxiety, such as the focus on social media. Working on coping mechanisms to keep negative feelings in perspective.

The research included 401 participants from the UK. Who were asked to complete a detailed survey about their exposure to nature. Their own body appreciation and “rational acceptance.”

Rational acceptance is a coping mechanism, broadly defined as the way people rationalize. Understand and deal with feelings of negative body image that comes and goes.

The study noticed positive associations between all three above mentioned measures in both men and women.

This study is the first to determine how exposure to nature can be helpful for the mind cope with temporary feelings of negative body image. After assessing the data from the survey. The study findings suggest that spending time in natural environments provides the possibility for healthy body image coping strategies.

This can be the result of the

Physical and mental distancing from the sources of negative body image threats such as unrealistic appearance on social media, standards, mirror. And other people who make us feel bad about our body.

Spending quality time among nature may also help individuals develop healthier thought processes. That allow for more sensible appraisals of body image threats and their future consequences.

This study broadens the growing evidence about the importance of exposure to nature. It indicates how we need to ensure as a society. That everyone gets as much exposure to natural environments as possible.