Greenspace Interventions, Stress and Cortisol: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Environmental Psychology
• Health and Wellbeing
• Stress Physiology

Background:

• Nature engagement significantly impacts human psychological and physiological health.
• Greenspace interventions (GSIs) are nature-based strategies promoting health and wellbeing.
• Research interest has grown in using greenspace to mitigate stress, focusing on biomarkers like cortisol.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of GSIs on cortisol.
• To present the current scientific understanding of GSIs and cortisol.
• To identify research limitations and inform future studies.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review methodology was employed.
• Literature was systematically mapped based on GSI type, study design, and cortisol metrics.
• The review aimed to inform future research directions.

Main Results:

• A total of 18 studies on GSIs and cortisol outcomes were analyzed.
• Significant heterogeneity was found in research designs, intervention strategies, and cortisol measurement.
• Studies suggest a potential positive association between GSIs and stress reduction.

Conclusions:

• GSIs show promise for stress relief.
• Current research exhibits considerable heterogeneity.
• More rigorous studies are required to establish GSIs as a definitive intervention for stress mitigation.