A research article written by Riikka Puhakka and Eemeli Hakoköngäs has been published in Journal of Leisure Research. The study is based on 39 thematic writings written by 15–16-year-old adolescents living in the city of Lahti. The results showed that while visiting nature was a spontaneous everyday activity for young participants, it meant a possibility to escape daily life filled with routines, demands, and social norms. Natural environments enabled not only shared experiences with friends and family but also positive experiences in solitude. The multisensory nature experiences were typically described by their psychological well-being benefits, especially increasing calmness, and improving mood or positive feelings. The findings highlight the importance of acknowledging the role of nature as part of adolescents’ leisure time experiences and their well-being.
Journal of Leisure Research: Adolescents’ experiences in nature: Sources of everyday well-being