Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

How Immersion In Nature Impacts The Human Spirit: A Phenomenological Study, Becky Schauer, Kishori Koch, Laura Lemieux, Kendra Willey

Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies Research Papers

Research demonstrates that spending time in nature restores, heals, and fosters connection in people. However, little is known regarding nature’s impact on the human spirit. The purpose of this phenomenological, mixed-method study is to describe nature’s impact on the human spirit. Twenty-six adults spent a minimum of fifteen minutes-a-day over a ten-day time period immersing themselves in nature and reflecting on a dimension of their spirit. Participants used photography and journaling to share reflections regarding how nature impacted their spirit. Six main spiritual themes emerged from thematic analysis: connection, vibrancy, awe/presence, joy, gratitude, and compassion. Of these six themes, the …