Effectiveness of Nature-Based Mindfulness Interventions to Improve Mental Health: A Narrative Review.

Background

Human health is closely interconnected to our ecosystem. Several studies found evidence that nature-based interventions improve mental health. Very recently, these approaches have started including mindfulness practices. Nature-based mindfulness interventions (NBMIs) combine contemplative practices with exposure to natural environments and are increasingly recognised as promising tools for supporting mental health and resilience within a One Health perspective, fostering physio-psychological wellbeing whilst promoting nature awareness and a sense of connection with our planet-"biofilia", as defined by American biologist Edward Wilson. Given the growing psychological impacts of climate-related stressors, NBMIs may offer particular value for regions with high climate-risk and ecological vulnerability.

Methods

A narrative literature review was conducted following established principles for high-quality non-systematic reviews. A non-systematic but structured search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library (January 2018-November 2025), complemented by grey literature, identified studies involving adolescents and adults participating in interventions integrating mindfulness practices with natural environments. Extracted data included study context, participant characteristics, intervention type, mental health and resilience outcomes.

Results

Across heterogeneous designs, NBMIs consistently reduced stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms and rumination, while improving sleep, vitality, attention and self-regulation. Most studies reported enhanced nature connectedness-an important mediator of wellbeing and pro-environmental behaviour. Programmes delivered to disaster-affected populations showed reductions in distress.

Conclusions

NBMIs are feasible, low-cost and adaptable interventions with dual benefits for mental health and ecological awareness. They offer promising One Health-aligned strategies for strengthening psychological resilience in climate-vulnerable regions, warranting further research and context-specific adaptation.