Antoni Sanz analyzes the link between physical activity in nature and emotional well-being
On April 15, a seminar was held at the UAB on the scientific evidence of sports practice in natural environments and its impact on mental health.
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Antoni Sanz provided data on how guided practice in nature improves emotional well-being and fosters environmental conservation.
Professor Antoni Sanz, a member of the IRE and the Stress and Health Research Group (GIES) at the UAB, delivered the seminar “Physical activity, nature and emotional well-being: what does scientific evidence tell us?” Part of the "Seminaris a l’Abast" cycle, the session analyzed how interaction with natural environments is key to well-being in an urban society. During the seminar, results were presented confirming immediate benefits in affective processes and attention after guided practice in the natural environment. Regarding the duration of these benefits, evidence shows intense positive effects in the short term, although in long-term programs these global improvements may disappear six months after finishing the intervention if there is no continuity.
Dr. Sanz's line of research addresses whether this practice benefits all people equally and if all activities provide the same effects. In particular, the differential impact of activities such as guided mountaineering or forest bathing was analyzed, noting that the latter show more intense effects in reducing negative affectivity compared to conventional hiking. The results indicate that professional guidance is key to covering psychological needs such as socialization, skill development, and the creation of safe environments. Therefore, these studies suggest that nature not only enhances the benefits of physical exercise but can also be used as an effective complementary therapeutic tool to improve mental health.
The seminar also served to share experiences such as the MOTEMO-OUTDOOR program, a teaching initiative that moves learning to the campus's green spaces to improve the emotional experience of students/es. The results of this program demonstrated a better learning experience thanks to the experimentation of positive emotions in the outdoor environment. At the close of the session, there was reflection on the need to continue generating scientific evidence in Mediterranean biomes to consolidate these community health programs. To further explore these details and consult all information, related publications on these studies can be visited.