Scientists Suggest Watching Nature Documentaries for Instant Happiness
A study suggests that watching nature documentaries can significantly boost happiness and reduce stress, revealing the emotional benefits of engaging with the natural world.
Could a simple television program actually enhance your mood? A serious study suggests that it might.
It is well known that keeping a gratitude journal, reading an engaging book, or engaging in physical or creative activities can lead to a boost in happiness. These activities are known to trigger the release of hormones such as oxytocin and serotonin, which are linked to feelings of well-being and tranquility. However, according to a 2017 study published on BBC Earth, another habit may also significantly improve your mood. Have you ever watched a nature documentary? While some might find it dull to observe wild animals in their natural habitats, many viewers actually find these programs to be a source of relaxation and happiness. Yes, you read that correctly.
What to Watch for a Happiness Boost
The study involved 7,500 participants from around the globe. The results were clear: after watching a nature documentary, all participants reported feeling happier. Dacher Keltner, one of the study's co-authors, elaborated on the findings in an interview with BBC Earth, stating, "I have long believed that nature, particularly the contemplation of beautiful and sublime nature in art, film, and video, changes our perspective on the world, humbles us, refocuses our efforts on our fundamental goals, diminishes the petty voice of our ego, and strengthens our nervous system." Participants expressed a range of emotions after viewing these documentaries, including:
- joy
- awe
- admiration
- curiosity
The Benefits of Nature Documentaries
Dacher Keltner emphasized the importance of noting that "brief exposures to content from Planet Earth II evoke greater wonder, positive emotions, and a sense of well-being among residents of six countries." The study also highlighted that "results indicate that young people are particularly stressed, and watching videos about the natural world helps reduce their stress levels."
In conclusion, the study revealed that there were high levels of the emotion “joy” visibly expressed on the faces of those watching animal content. The detection of these emotions involved recognizing two facial movements: the corners of the lips being raised and the cheeks being lifted or eyes crinkling. Compared to the initial joyful emotion at the start of the video (baseline), the peak increase in joy was highest for the joyful emotion in both animal documentary videos. Amazing, isn’t it? So, if you're feeling a bit down, you know what to watch on your screen!
