There’s new evidence that simply looking at nature—even from a window in your home—may help your diet by reducing cravings.
Previous studies have already indicated that spending time outdoors can help improve and maintain good health. A 2018 study published in the journal Environment and Behavior found that walking in nature could improve mood and lower cortisol levels. A 2019 study from Aarhus University in Denmark found that children who grew in close proximity to nature had a lower risk of developing mental health issues.
Cravings and green spaces
A team of researchers from the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom wanted to see if simply viewing green space can reduce the intensity and frequency of cravings for unhealthy snacks, as well as for tobacco and alcohol.
The scientists surveyed 149 people between the ages of 21 and 65 and asked them about their exposure to nature. The participants were also asked their unhealthy cravings; how frequent they were, how intense and how their cravings affected their emotional health.
The findings
They found that the participants who had any access to a garden—whether a community version or their own personal garden—had less intense and less frequent. But even those who simply had views of greenery from at least 25% of their home’s windows describes similar benefits. This was true even when physical activity was taken out of the equation.
“Craving contributes to a variety of health-damaging behavior, such as smoking, excessive drinking, and unhealthy eating,” explains one of the study’s co-authors, Sabine Pahl, Ph.D. “In turn, these can contribute to some of the greatest global health challenges of our time, including cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Showing the lower craving(s) is linked to more exposure to green spaces is a promising first step.”
The results of the study were published in the journal Health & Place.
The next time you’re feeling a craving for something that’s not part of a healthy diet, head out into nature or just look for it in your view!
