Lose yourself: Spacious nature and the connected self

Abstract

A crucial but thus far overlooked dimension of mental health benefits of nature interaction involves the extent to which the self is experienced as a separate, stand-alone identity cut off from its surroundings or rather as a fluid entity connected to the world at large. Based on research findings that hint at the importance of spaciousness for promoting a selfless (rather than self-centered) mode of psychological functioning, an experimental study was conducted using VR-simulations of natural landscapes varying in the extent of spaciousness and type of nature. Results show that spacious, rather than dense, landscapes promote selflessness and related measures including connectedness and positive affect. Subsequent mediation analyses indicate that effects of spaciousness on selflessness and positive affect are mediated by an embodied process in which perceived body boundaries loosen up. These findings testify to the importance of nature interaction for counteracting self-centeredness and related mental health issues.