Can’t Get Outside? Try This Stress Reset

Screening Out Stress: Spending even 20 minutes in nature has been linked to lower stress. But when getting outside isn’t an option, a recent study suggests that watching nature videos may offer some of the same emotional benefits.

The Study: In an effort to replicate a landmark 1991 study, researchers recruited 959 Gen Z students and showed them a video of workplace accidents designed to raise stress levels. Participants then watched one of six videos depicting a forest, a stream, a quiet or busy pedestrian area, or a quiet or busy traffic scene. Researchers measured changes in mood through questionnaires and tracked physical stress responses such as heart activity and sweating.

The Takeaway: Participants began calming down once the stressful video ended, regardless of what they watched next. But those who viewed nature scenes reported more positive emotions and less anger than those who watched urban environments. Nature videos did not consistently speed up physical stress recovery, as they had in the 1991 study. The forest video did show some evidence of faster initial relaxation, while the stream video did not — possibly because the sound of rushing water was loud and distracting.

Keep in Mind: The benefits were small, so nature videos are unlikely to replace time outdoors. Still, they may offer a simple way to briefly reset when stepping outside isn’t possible.