Can a brief guided nature walk reduce distress and improve resilience, mindful attention, and sleep quality? Evidence from a pilot study with two-week follow-up

Abstract

Despite trends of deteriorating mental health globally, help-seeking remains suboptimal. Identifying less stigmatising, low-cost, and scalable approaches to mental health care is critical. We investigated the acceptability and psychological benefits of a 30-minute guided nature walk programme in an accessible country park in Hong Kong among 100 community members. In a subgroup of 55 participants, we further examined its influences on psychological distress, resilience, mindful attention, and sleep quality after two weeks. Most participants felt more connected with nature (88%) and could apply the skills to their everyday lives (81%). Significant improvements in affect and distress symptoms were found, even when accounting for age, resilience, prior nature walk experience, and practice frequency at follow-up. Improvements in resilience, mindful attention, and sleep quality were also observed. These findings offer preliminary evidence of the positive effects of brief nature walks on well-being. Increasing accessibility to green space and nature-based interventions is highlighted.