Broadened Horizons: Nature Walks and Reflective Thinking in the Context of Scarcity

Nature walks have been demonstrated to increase cognitive and emotional well-being by restoring attention and increasing positive affect, both of which are linked to increases in reflective (“broadened") thinking. Broadened thinking is contrasted to the narrowing of thoughts associated with scarcity, the feeling of not having enough resources. This study proposed a model outlining the process by which broadened thinking occurs during nature walks while also incorporating scarcity. One hundred sixty-five college students reporting varying levels of scarcity took at 30-minute outdoor walk. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that the proposed model was a good fit for the data, supporting the hypothesized links between nature, restoration, positive affect, and broadened thinking. Although scarcity did not moderate relationships as expected, ANOVAs showed that participants experiencing the highest time scarcity saw the greatest increases in restoration and broadened thinking, providing some support for the hypothesis that those with more scarcity would derive greater benefit from nature walks. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of nature walks as an intervention, especially for students pressed for time, and highlights the importance of cultivating walk environments that are safe and accessible for all. Implications for future research and interventions at the individual and societal level are discussed.