Well being experiences in nature An emerging form of tourism

Tourism Dynamics ◽

10.23912/9781911635932-4955 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alba Font Barnet ◽

Marta Gemma Nel-lo Andreu

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Well Being ◽

Natural Areas ◽

Open Spaces ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Environmentally Responsible ◽

Protected Natural Areas ◽

Social Environmental ◽

Competitive Products ◽

Health And Well Being

Tourism is a dynamic, constantly evolving activity that requires detecting consumer trends so that companies and destinations can adapt by offering new and improved competitive products and experiences. For the post-COVID-19 era, dominant projected trends suggest that consumers will be more attracted to authentic, environmentally responsible experiences in less touristy destinations and wide-open spaces. Natural areas and protected spaces rank among the clearest beneficiaries of such trends because they combine relaxation with environments conducive to social distancing as well as offering direct, positive impacts on human health and well-being. For all of those reasons, such spaces not only have the potential to offer new experiences closely related to well-being and the search for overall health but also face challenges to that end. Against that background, this chapter examines experiential tourism in relation to improved holistic well-being and provides examples of experiences in protected natural areas worldwide that offer physical, mental, social, environmental, spiritual, and/or emotional well-being.

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Restoration Experience Measurement Methods in Contact with Green Open Spaces

10.20944/preprints201801.0064.v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Fahimeh Malekinezhad ◽

Hasanuddin bin Lamit

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Well Being ◽

Mental Fatigue ◽

Open Spaces ◽

Natural Landscape ◽

Stress Alleviation ◽

Attention Restoration ◽

Supportive Environment ◽

Health Related ◽

Health And Well Being

Contact with nature is suggested to be as an important resource for human health and well-being. Stress alleviation and reduction of mental fatigue are main instances of improvement of human health and well-being in contact with nature. Although the term restoration experience in contact with nature has been used repeatedly for concepts of stress alleviation and reduction of mental fatigue, these refer to different sets of theories and research studies. In this paper, by reviewing the nature-health related theories of Biophilia, Stress Recovery Theory, Attention Restoration Theory and Supportive Environment Theory (SET), the similarities and differences between these two concepts have been discussed. Moreover, the measurement approach instruments based on different study methodologies and aims are provided. This paper could provide information for future studies with focus on factors to be of benefit for restoration experience in design and planning of natural landscape environments with the aim of health and well-being development.

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Health and Well-Being in Protected Natural Areas—Visitors’ Satisfaction in Three Different Protected Natural Area Categories in Catalonia, Spain

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17186746 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (18) ◽

pp. 6746

Author(s):

Estela Inés Farías-Torbidoni ◽

Sebastià Mas-Alòs ◽

Gonzalo Gil-Moreno-de-Mora ◽

Pere Lavega-Burgués ◽

Marta Castañer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gap Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Natural Areas ◽

Analysis Theory ◽

Protected Natural Area ◽

Protected Natural Areas ◽

Individual Protection ◽

The Difference ◽

Health And Well Being

Protected natural areas (PNAs) can be a source of health and well-being, but little research has been carried out regarding outcomes in terms of satisfaction (the difference between motivations and benefits). Inspired by previous research that examines the motivations and benefits perceived by visitors to various PNAs in Canada, and based on importance–performance analysis (IPA) and service quality gap (GAP) analysis theory, the aim of this study was to identify the outcomes generated by protected areas in terms of satisfaction, especially with regard to the PNAs’ individual protection categories. The study was based on survey data from visitors (n = 360) to three PNAs in Catalonia: one national park, one natural park and one periurban park. The results indicate that anticipated environmental, psychological, physical and social benefits were of major personal value in choosing to visit a PNA. The results indicate that, generally, visitors were satisfied with regard to the benefits anticipated. Differences between parks in this respect could be explained in part by sociodemographic factors and visitors’ behavior. The results are discussed in terms of their applicability and how they relate to the role of PNAs in the promotion of visitors’ health and well-being.

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Evidence-Based Landscape Architecture for Human Health and Well-Being

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12041360 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 1360 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Robert D. Brown ◽

Robert C. Corry

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Architectural Design ◽

Landscape Architecture ◽

Well Being ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Natural Environments ◽

The People ◽

Outdoor Environments ◽

The Usa ◽

Health And Well Being

More than 80% of the people in the USA and Canada live in cities. Urban development replaces natural environments with built environments resulting in limited access to outdoor environments which are critical to human health and well-being. In addition, many urban open spaces are unused because of poor design. This paper describes case studies where traditional landscape architectural design approaches would have compromised design success, while evidence-based landscape architecture (EBLA) resulted in a successful product. Examples range from school-yard design that provides safe levels of solar radiation for children, to neighborhood parks and sidewalks that encourage people to walk and enjoy nearby nature. Common characteristics for integrating EBLA into private, public, and academic landscape architecture practice are outlined along with a discussion of some of the opportunities and barriers to implementation.

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Study design, rationale and methods of the Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) study: a cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate environmental and human health impacts of a water-sensitive intervention in informal settlements in Indonesia and Fiji

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042850 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e042850

Author(s):

Karin Leder ◽

John J Openshaw ◽

Pascale Allotey ◽

Ansariadi Ansariadi ◽

S Fiona Barker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Human Health ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Informal Settlements ◽

Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Well Being ◽

Cluster Randomised ◽

Abundance And Diversity ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Health And Well Being

IntroductionIncreasing urban populations have led to the growth of informal settlements, with contaminated environments linked to poor human health through a range of interlinked pathways. Here, we describe the design and methods for the Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) study, a transdisciplinary randomised trial evaluating impacts of an intervention to upgrade urban informal settlements in two Asia-Pacific countries.Methods and analysisRISE is a cluster randomised controlled trial among 12 settlements in Makassar, Indonesia, and 12 in Suva, Fiji. Six settlements in each country have been randomised to receive the intervention at the outset; the remainder will serve as controls and be offered intervention delivery after trial completion. The intervention involves a water-sensitive approach, delivering site-specific, modular, decentralised infrastructure primarily aimed at improving health by decreasing exposure to environmental faecal contamination. Consenting households within each informal settlement site have been enrolled, with longitudinal assessment to involve health and well-being surveys, and human and environmental sampling. Primary outcomes will be evaluated in children under 5 years of age and include prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal pathogens, abundance and diversity of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in gastrointestinal microorganisms and markers of gastrointestinal inflammation. Diverse secondary outcomes include changes in microbial contamination; abundance and diversity of pathogens and AMR genes in environmental samples; impacts on ecological biodiversity and microclimates; mosquito vector abundance; anthropometric assessments, nutrition markers and systemic inflammation in children; caregiver-reported and self-reported health symptoms and healthcare utilisation; and measures of individual and community psychological, emotional and economic well-being. The study aims to provide proof-of-concept evidence to inform policies on upgrading of informal settlements to improve environments and human health and well-being.EthicsStudy protocols have been approved by ethics boards at Monash University, Fiji National University and Hasanuddin University.Trial registration numberACTRN12618000633280; Pre-results.

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Biodiversity and Health in the Urban Environment

Current Environmental Health Reports ◽

10.1007/s40572-021-00313-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Melissa R. Marselle ◽

Sarah J. Lindley ◽

Penny A. Cook ◽

Aletta Bonn

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Human Health ◽

Urban Policy ◽

Policy Research ◽

Well Being ◽

Ecosystem Functions ◽

Natural Environments ◽

Positive Health ◽

Causal Pathways ◽

Health And Well Being

Abstract Purpose of review Biodiversity underpins urban ecosystem functions that are essential for human health and well-being. Understanding how biodiversity relates to human health is a developing frontier for science, policy and practice. This article describes the beneficial, as well as harmful, aspects of biodiversity to human health in urban environments. Recent findings Recent research shows that contact with biodiversity of natural environments within towns and cities can be both positive and negative to human physical, mental and social health and well-being. For example, while viruses or pollen can be seriously harmful to human health, biodiverse ecosystems can promote positive health and well-being. On balance, these influences are positive. As biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, research suggests that its loss could threaten the quality of life of all humans. Summary A key research gap is to understand—and evidence—the specific causal pathways through which biodiversity affects human health. A mechanistic understanding of pathways linking biodiversity to human health can facilitate the application of nature-based solutions in public health and influence policy. Research integration as well as cross-sector urban policy and planning development should harness opportunities to better identify linkages between biodiversity, climate and human health. Given its importance for human health, urban biodiversity conservation should be considered as public health investment.

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How can electric lighting contribute to human health and well-being?

Lighting Research and Technology ◽

10.1177/14771535211003264 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 53 (5) ◽

pp. 515-522

Author(s):

P Raynham

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Health Benefits ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Problems ◽

Starting Point ◽

Electric Light ◽

Health And Well Being ◽

Hypothetical Explanation

Electric light in buildings may provide some health benefits; however, for most people these benefits are likely to be small. It is possible for electric lighting to cause health problems, if there is too little light or there is glare, but for the most part there is good guidance available and these problems can be avoided. The quality of the lit environment can have a psychological impact and this may in turn impact well-being. A starting point for this is perceived adequacy of illumination. Related lighting metrics are examined and a hypothetical explanation is suggested.

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Uncovering Prospective Role and Applications of Existing and New Nutraceuticals from Bacterial, Fungal, Algal and Cyanobacterial, and Plant Sources

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13073671 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 3671

Author(s):

Jameel R. Al-Obaidi ◽

Khalid H. Alobaidi ◽

Bilal Salim Al-Taie ◽

David Hong-Sheng Wee ◽

Hasnain Hussain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Well Being ◽

Vital Role ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Future Perspective ◽

The Public ◽

Biological Sources ◽

Pharmaceutical Properties ◽

Plant Sources ◽

Health And Well Being

Nutraceuticals are a category of products more often associated with food but having pharmaceuticals property and characteristics. However, there is still no internationally accepted concept of these food-pharmaceutical properties, and their interpretation can differ from country to country. Nutraceuticals are used as part of dietary supplements in most countries. They can be phytochemicals which are biologically active and have health benefits. These can be supplied as a supplement and/or as a functional food to the customer. For human health and longevity, these materials are likely to play a vital role. Consumption of these items is typical without a therapeutic prescription and/or supervision by the vast majority of the public. The development of nutraceuticals can be achieved through many bioresources and organisms. This review article will discuss the current research on nutraceuticals from different biological sources and their potential use as an agent for improving human health and well-being, as well as the gaps and future perspective of research related to nutraceutical development.

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