Green Time, Brighter Minds: Nature Lowers Negative Emotions Across Real, VR, and Imagined Environments

A meta-analysis of 33 studies with 2,101 participants finds exposure to nature—outdoors, virtual reality, or imagined scenes—reduces negative emotions and supports brain health, with EEG and other neuroimaging data showing a more balanced emotional state. The researchers advocate integrating ‘Nature Rx’ into urban design to protect the population’s brain capital as urbanization rises.