Default mode network connectivity contributes the augment effect stress recovery by natural viewing

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Environmental Psychology

Background:

• Exposure to natural environments is known to benefit psychological well-being.
• The restorative effects of viewing nature images and their underlying brain mechanisms are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if viewing nature images can induce restorative effects similar to real nature exposure.
• To explore the brain mechanisms, specifically default mode network (DMN) functional connectivity, involved in stress recovery from viewing nature images.

Main Methods:

• 131 university students were randomly assigned to view nature (NG) or city (CG) images after stress induction.
• A subset underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess DMN functional connectivity (FC).
• Subjective ratings of affect, stress, and rumination, along with salivary cortisol levels, were measured.

Main Results:

• Nature image viewing (NG) led to greater positive affect, lower negative affect, and reduced state rumination compared to city image viewing (CG).
• fMRI data revealed that increased FC between the medial DMN subsystem and other brain networks correlated with improved affect and reduced rumination.
• These neural changes suggest a role for DMN connectivity in modulating stress responses during nature image exposure.

Conclusions:

• Viewing nature images can effectively aid psychological stress recovery.
• The findings highlight the potential of indoor nature viewing as a strategy to mitigate psychological distress in urban settings.
• Default mode network connectivity is implicated in the stress-reducing benefits of nature imagery.