scholarly journals Listening to Forests: Comparing the Perceived Restorative Characteristics of Natural Soundscapes before and after the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 293
Author(s):  
Mengyuan Qiu ◽  
Ji Sha ◽  
Sulistyo Utomo
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mediating Effects ◽  
Acoustic Environment ◽  
Attention Restoration ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Health And Well Being

Natural sounds are known to contribute to health and well-being. However, few studies have investigated what makes a natural sound renew and re-energize people, especially in the face of significant stressors caused by the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study examined the interactive mechanism towards the perceived restorative characteristics of natural soundscapes: fascination, being-away, compatibility, and extent. Two groups of data were collected in Burleigh Heads National Park, Australia, before the outbreak of COVID-19 (n = 526) and in October 2020 (n = 371). The objective measures of LAeq confirmed that the acoustic environment of Burleigh Heads National Park are quiet and peaceful for attention restoration. The results of the subject evaluation revealed that participants from the post-COVID-19 group reported higher stress levels, while there was a greater mental restoration through water sounds. There are significant differences between the pre- and post-COVID-19 groups with respect to the relationships among the perceived restorative characteristics of natural soundscapes. The direct effects of extent and fascination, as well as the mediating effects of fascination, were more significant among the post-COVID-19 group than the pre-COVID-19 group. However, the effects of being-away on compatibility were less significant in the post-COVID-19 group. This study reduces the gap that exists on the research of environment–people–health–wellbeing nexus. Knowledge about natural soundscapes encourages administrations to consider it as a guideline for the planning and management of natural resources, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Student Moods Before and After Body Expression and Dance Assessments. Gender Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercè Mateu ◽  
Silvia Garcías ◽  
Luciana Spadafora ◽  
Ana Andrés ◽  
Eulàlia Febrer
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Element ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Mood States ◽  
States Of Mind ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Mood Score ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Body Expression

Body expression and dance are activities that contribute to the integral well-being of people. In an educational context, the process of evaluating our students implies variations in their moods. This study tackles the states of mind that students perceive before and after the evaluation of a practice in the subject of Body expression and dance, developed through choreographies, that were, previously rehearsed, and later presented to the rest of the class in a specific session. Our main interest was the obtention of information on the states of mind of the students prior to the evaluation of their choreographies (cooperative task), and again once they had been performed. The study design consisted of two phases: two different choreographies separated by an interval of 2 months. The students were asked about their moods before and after performing their choreographies, which were evaluated. The participants, 167 in total, 35 women (20.5%) and 132 men (79.5%), aged 18 to 22 years old, filled out a POMS (Profile of Mood States) questionnaire, before and after the evaluation of each occasion. Differences were found in the stress-anxiety, vigor-activity, fatigue-immobility scales and the total mood score (PGMS). In all of them, except for the fatigue-immobility scale, we found a decrease in scores after the performance, compared to scores before. For the Stress-Anxiety factor, lower values were observed in the post-tests in comparison to the pre-tests, and also lower values in the pre- and post-test scores regarding the second choreography. We conclude that the practical evaluation of the subject through choreography modifies the mood states of the students, favoring their well-being after its execution, which is why evaluation through practice is considered a positive element in the educational process.

scholarly journals Factors contributing to a striking shift in human–wildlife dynamics in Hemis National Park, India: 22 years of reported snow leopard depredation

Oryx ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pushpinder S. Jamwal ◽  
Jigmet Takpa ◽  
Michael H. Parsons
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Snow Leopard ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Government ◽  
Hunting Regulations ◽  
Government Records ◽  
Snow Leopards ◽  
Free Ranging

AbstractHemis National Park of the Trans-Himalayas is home to a large population of the snow leopard Panthera uncia and increasing numbers of agro-pastoralists. To persist in this harsh terrain, farmers have to either farm livestock or hunt free-ranging, native ungulates. The availability of more livestock and fewer natural prey created a dynamic whereby snow leopards depredated livestock, followed by retaliatory killing of snow leopards. In 1992, to assist farmers and wildlife, the government enacted a cost-compensation scheme. Following a decade with marginally fewer depredation events, in 2002, two additional strategies were implemented: predator-proof holding pens and the Himalayan Homestay Programme. We assessed 22 years (1992–2013) of depredation data, comparing the periods before and after the additional initiatives. Government records showed that during 1992–2013, 1,624 livestock were depredated from 339 sites, with c. USD 15,000 paid as compensation. There were significantly more kills annually before (a mean of 41) than after (3.5) the initiatives, and mass killings (≥ 5 animals killed per attack) were significantly reduced from 5.5 to 0.5 events per year. Goats and sheep (57%) and horses (13%) comprised the majority of losses. The marked reduction in depredation occurred whilst regulations against hunting were being enforced, probably resulting in an increase in the number of wild prey as alternative food. We conclude that together, cost-compensation, tighter hunting regulations, improved holding pens and the Homestay Programme helped support the well-being of the community while aiding conservation efforts.

scholarly journals Restoration Experience Measurement Methods in Contact with Green Open Spaces

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.

scholarly journals Evidence for Designing Health Promoting Pocket Parks

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Kragsig Peschardt ◽  
Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Natural Experiment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
City Area ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Health And Well Being

The use of urban green environments has repeatedly been associated with improved health and well-being for people living in cities. This study focuses on the health promoting potential of pocket parks in the dense city area of Copenhagen. A natural experiment was conducted, which evaluated one pocket park, Dantes Plads, before and after a redesign. Six people were interviewed about their perception of the change. First of all, the results show that Dantes Plads is primarily used for ‘rest and restitution’. Furthermore, the interviewees prefer to have the presence of sun, shade and planting in relation to rest and restitution, while varied ‘terrain’ may create fascination thereby providing the opportunity for restoration. ‘Noise level’ is perceived differently from subject to subject, while ‘benches’ as well as ‘visual angels’ should not be oriented directly towards disturbing surroundings. The findings add to existing knowledge on the design of health promoting pocket parks for ‘rest and restitution’ in dense city areas.

scholarly journals Balancing Our Identities as Medical Students and Global Citizens in the Wake of COVID-19.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramesha Ali
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Loss Of Life ◽  
Global Citizens ◽  
The Face ◽  
Global Trajectory ◽  
Health And Well Being

As medical students, we felt the burden of COVID-19 in two distinct waves. The first wave brought with it a loss of opportunity and the immense sadness that came with the understanding that we would move forth without ever compensating for such experiences. As clerkships and licensing exams were slowly canceled, we struggled to find ways to fill our days and continue to remain strong postgraduate candidates. It was not long before our personal losses became insignificant in the face of the global trajectory COVID-19 took and the burden of the pandemic impinged on our vulnerabilities. Suddenly, we were facing a significant loss of life and the fear of ill-health was ever-present. This challenged our identity as medical students and forced us to identify as global citizens who were also susceptible to the threat of the pandemic. It also forced us to uphold our health and well-being just as we had pledged to hold the health and well-being of others and to include ourselves in our commitment to a lifetime of service.  

Exploring Singing Vocal Pedagogy in the Greek Elementary School through Interactive Technologies

2016 ◽  
pp. 310-324
Author(s):  
Sofia Stavropoulou ◽  
Anastasia Georgaki
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Voice Quality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vocal Pedagogy ◽  
Interactive Technologies ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Health And Well Being

A growing body of interdisciplinary research suggests that children's structured engagement in musical activities may have a positive impact on social inclusion by means of offering opportunities for social bonding, developing interpersonal relationships and empowering self-expression, health and well-being. In this paper we investigate the amelioration of children's voice accuracy and quality in signing through a visual feedback software. The research took place in two public elementary schools in Athens in a total of sixty children aged 6-9 years old and with a different cultural background. The statistical analysis on the effectiveness of the software has proved the amelioration of the children's voice quality before and after its use.

scholarly journals Acute Physiological and Psychological Effects of Qigong Exercise in Older Practitioners

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-Yi Lin ◽  
Tze-Taur Wei ◽  
Chen-Chen Wang ◽  
Wan-Chen Chen ◽  
Yu-Min Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Short Form ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Electrical Conductance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Effects ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Pericardium Meridian ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Health And Well Being

Qigong is a gentle exercise that promotes health and well-being. This study evaluated the acute physiological and psychological effects of one session of qigong exercise in older practitioners. A total of 45 participants (mean age, 65.14 years) were recruited. Meridian electrical conductance, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), heart rate variability (HRV), and Short Form 36 (SF-36) were evaluated and compared before and after one session of qigong exercise. The results revealed that the electrical conductance of all meridians, except spleen and bladder meridians, increased significantly (p<0.05). Compared with baseline values, upper to lower body ratio and sympathetic/vagal index were significantly improved and closer to 1 (p=0.011 and p=0.007, resp.). STAI-S and STAI-T scores decreased significantly (p<0.001 and p=0.001, resp.). The RR interval of HRV decreased significantly (p=0.035), a significant positive correlation was observed between kidney meridian electrical conductance and SF-36 physical scores (r=0.74, p=0.018), and a positive correlation was observed between pericardium meridian electrical conductance and SF-36 mental scores (r=0.50, p=0.06). In conclusion, one session of qigong exercise increased meridian electrical conductance, reduced anxiety, and improved body and autonomic nervous system balance. These findings provide scientific evidence for acute physiological and psychological effects of qigong exercise in older practitioners.

5. Positive and successful ageing

2016 ◽  
pp. 87-101
Author(s):  
Nancy A. Pachana
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Policy ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
Policy Frameworks ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Health And Well Being

‘Positive and successful ageing’ examines how, as a society, we can promote positive and successful ageing in terms of physical, mental, and social well-being in later life. It addresses current findings and directions in research, interventions, and social policy, which have focused more strongly on health and well-being, rather than disease and disability, in the last few decades. Attention is paid to the contributions of the environment, lifestyle factors, meaning and engagement in life, resilience, and wisdom that support a successful move through the latter stages of life. Successful ageing is now the subject of policy frameworks, lifespan theories of development, and actions—large and small—affecting older adults globally.

scholarly journals Comparative Study of the Restorative Effects of Forest and Urban Videos during COVID-19 Lockdown: Intrinsic and Benchmark Values

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 8011
Author(s):  
Federica Zabini ◽  
Lorenzo Albanese ◽  
Francesco Riccardo Becheri ◽  
Gioele Gavazzi ◽  
Fiorenza Giganti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Contact ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Well Being ◽  
State Trait Anxiety Inventory ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Anxiety Levels ◽  
Environmental Deprivation ◽  
Virtual Experiences

The prolonged lockdown imposed to contain the COrona VIrus Disease 19 COVID-19 pandemic prevented many people from direct contact with nature and greenspaces, raising alarms for a possible worsening of mental health. This study investigated the effectiveness of a simple and affordable remedy for improving psychological well-being, based on audio-visual stimuli brought by a short computer video showing forest environments, with an urban video as a control. Randomly selected participants were assigned the forest or urban video, to look at and listen to early in the morning, and questionnaires to fill out. In particular, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Form Y collected in baseline condition and at the end of the study and the Part II of the Sheehan Patient Rated Anxiety Scale (SPRAS) collected every day immediately before and after watching the video. The virtual exposure to forest environments showed effective to reduce perceived anxiety levels in people forced by lockdown in limited spaces and environmental deprivation. Although significant, the effects were observed only in the short term, highlighting the limitation of the virtual experiences. The reported effects might also represent a benchmark to disentangle the determinants of health effects due to real forest experiences, for example, the inhalation of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC).

scholarly journals Le maître d'oeuvre sur un chantier de construction

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-182
Author(s):  
René Napert ◽  
François Darveau
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Construction Site ◽  
Workplace Accidents ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Health And Well Being

The construction industry is a prime area for workplace accidents and as such The Health and Occupational Safety Act devotes an entire chapter to the subject. The objective of suppressing danger at its source has required making the foreman the most important agent for looking after the health and well-being of workers. Based on caselaw, this article focuses on sharpening the notion of the foreman acting in the workplace within the framework of The Health and Occupational Safety Act. Two major aspects are developed : that of the identification of the foreman and his obligations on a construction site.

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