Researchers from UMIT TIROL — the University for Health Sciences and Technology in Austria — have found that group activities in nature can help older adults overcome feelings of loneliness and reduce the risk of premature death. The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized loneliness as a major public health concern. It not only reduces quality of life but can also harm physical health, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and even dementia. To explore ways of addressing loneliness among older adults, the researchers analyzed data from a Spanish program called “Friends of Nature,” in which participants went for walks outdoors, took part in gardening, and watched birds.
The modeling showed that such outdoor activities can help combat social isolation. People who took part in nature-based activities gained an average of 2.62 additional years of life free from loneliness compared with those who simply received information about such activities. Their overall quality of life also improved, and their life expectancy increased slightly.
“Although the gain in life expectancy may seem small, participants substantially improved the quality of their remaining years and avoided developing serious illnesses associated with isolation,” said the study's lead author, Veronika Papon.
The researchers' findings could help guide healthcare systems around the world, as loneliness is a serious concern not only among older people in Spain. Doctors suggest that “nature prescriptions” — referrals for patients to join group walks in parks or forests — could offer an inexpensive and effective alternative to conventional treatment, helping protect society against an epidemic of social isolation.
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