Scientists from the University of Exeter have proven that beautiful sunrises and sunsets improve people’s mood, and for the first time have measured the impact of natural phenomena on humans. Research published Journal of Environmental Psychology.
While many studies support the effects of nature on mental health, most studies have only evaluated these effects in calm weather and clear skies. Therefore, little is known about the true impact of weather changes on the human psyche.
To fill this gap, the scientists showed more than 2,500 participants artificial images of both urban and natural environments. When these scenes included elements such as sunrise and sunset, participants found them much more beautiful than when they were shown sunny weather or any time of the day (rainbow or starry sky).
Scientists have suggested that encouraging people to watch the sunset and sunrise could improve their health and be used as part of nature therapy in psychiatry.