Effects of Urban Nature on Stress and Quality of Life

Effects of Urban Nature on Stress and Quality of Life of Subjects With Elevated Stress Levels - a Three-armed Randomized Controlled Study

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of regular nature therapy in urban nature with guidance of a licensed nature therapist on stress, quality of life and physical symptoms of subjects with elevated stress levels.

Inclusion Criteria:

• stress with at least 4 of 10 points on the Numeric Analogue Scale (NAS) at least 1 month
• at least 3 of the following 8 stress-associated symptoms: sleep disturbances, inappetence or increased appetite, shoulder neck tension/back pain, tension headache, concentration disturbances, exhaustion, nervousness/irritability, stress-associated digestive complaints.

Exclusion Criteria:

• serious acute or chronic diseases
• pregnancy or lactation
• known serious mental illness
• immobility or restriction for gymnastics exercises due to orthopaedic, neurological or other medical cause
• participation in another study