A groundbreaking new study has revealed that genuine enjoyment of nature—rather than merely spending time outdoors—plays a crucial role in boosting individuals’ happiness and life satisfaction. Published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology in May 2025, the research offers a nuanced understanding that challenges common perceptions, highlighting the importance of emotional engagement with the natural world over sheer frequency of outdoor activity (PsyPost.org).
For many in Thailand, a country renowned for its lush national parks, stunning coastlines, and traditional reverence for natural beauty, the assumption has long been that more frequent visits to nature equate to greater well-being. Yet, this study out of Academia Sinica in Taiwan finds that the benefits of green spaces hinge less on how often people step outdoors and more on how much joy and pleasure they actually derive from these experiences.
Drawing on data from the 2020 Taiwan Social Change Survey, with over 1,800 respondents from across the country, the research team analyzed relationships between participants’ enjoyment of nature, frequency of outdoor activities, self-reported happiness, life satisfaction, and contextual variables like air quality, temperature, and rainfall. The survey included standard measures for happiness and life satisfaction and asked individuals how often they engaged in activities such as hiking, swimming, or birdwatching, as well as how much they enjoyed simply being in natural settings.
The findings were striking: While those who enjoyed being in nature were more likely to seek out outdoor experiences, it was this emotional enjoyment itself—not the frequency of outings—that consistently predicted higher happiness and life satisfaction. Surprisingly, after adjusting for other factors, frequent physical engagement with nature showed no positive link and even a slight negative association with well-being.
According to the lead study author, a survey methodologist with the Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences at Academia Sinica, “It is possible that enjoying contact with nature makes people want to engage in outdoor activities more than they are actually able to, which may lead to dissatisfaction with their situation. Such results may also be attributed to the study’s non-Western setting. It will be great to have data from more countries to further examine the issue.”
Other established predictors of well-being, such as self-reported health, perceived social status, marital status, and frequency of religious participation, remained significant. The analysis also reaffirmed a well-known U-shaped curve between age and happiness, with middle-aged adults reporting lower happiness than younger or older peers—echoing trends observable in global and Thai data (Bangkok Post).
Interestingly, objective factors like temperature or air quality had little bearing on happiness, except for seasonal rainfall. Instead, people’s subjective perceptions of their environment, particularly issues like air pollution or climate discomfort, played a far more meaningful role—aligning with local sentiment in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, where air quality has become a major concern (World Air Quality Index Project).
The research also touches on the paradox that people already experiencing low well-being might seek out nature as a coping mechanism, masking direct cause-and-effect relationships. Alternatively, participants who strongly value nature may wish they could access green spaces more often but face barriers such as urban development, leading to dissatisfaction—a scenario familiar in fast-growing Thai cities.
For Thai society, where traditions like forest meditation, merit-making in rural temples, and maintaining lush home gardens are popular, the study’s message resonates: It isn’t simply about proximity to green spaces, but about the mindful appreciation and emotional response to those natural encounters. Urban planners, tourism boards, and educators may wish to rethink the focus on simply increasing green space acreage or promoting outdoor excursions. Efforts could instead encourage mindfulness, environmental appreciation, and programs that help people deepen their connection and enjoyment of local nature.
From a historical perspective, Thai values have long been intertwined with nature. The aesthetic and spiritual dimensions of nature in Buddhism—for example, forest monasteries and the concept of “Buddha-nature”—emphasize not only presence in natural settings but also contemplative engagement, supporting the findings of this new research (Wikipedia - Nature in Buddhism). Festivals like Songkran or Loy Krathong, which celebrate cycles of water and renewal, likewise focus on emotional immersion within the environment rather than simple attendance.
Looking ahead, the study suggests that future well-being interventions—whether in public health, education, or tourism—should shift toward facilitating meaningful encounters with nature. Urban environments in Thailand, such as Bangkok or Chiang Mai, can be redesigned with quiet green oases and reflective spaces, not just more parks. Educational curricula might incorporate sensory, artistic, or meditative engagements with nature, in line with His Majesty King Rama IX’s philosophy of “living with nature.”
Furthermore, as climate change and urbanization intensify pressures on Thai green spaces, understanding that it is not sheer access but quality and enjoyment of those spaces that promotes happiness can help policymakers prioritize investment in environmental stewardship, preservation, and nature-based mindfulness programs.
Practical steps for Thai readers include incorporating mindful nature walks, birdwatching, or quiet time in parks, focusing on emotional response rather than checklist-style visits. Parents can encourage children to engage with nature through art, music, or stories, rather than structured outings alone. Community leaders may design public spaces with sensory experiences—scented gardens, water features, tactile plantings—to foster deeper enjoyment and well-being.
“People should know that protecting the environment isn’t just good for nature; it’s also good for their happiness,” the study author said, underscoring a message with wide resonance in Thailand, where environmental consciousness is increasingly tied to quality of life.
As researchers continue to compare findings across different nations, including Thailand, the hope is that a growing body of evidence will support investments not only in conservation but in deepening people’s appreciation and emotional connection to the living world around them. The full study can be accessed via the Journal of Environmental Psychology for those interested in exploring the details (PsyPost summary).