Nature videography replicates the mental health benefits of outdoor activities

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — New research led by a scholar at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign suggests that watching and creating videography of scenic locations cultivates nature-based mindfulness — conveying the same cognitive and emotional benefits as outdoor activities and fostering a deep sense of connection with nature.

Yue (Darcy) Lu, an Illinois doctoral student in recreation, sport and tourism, conducted a two-phase study that began with an ethnographic exploration of her experiences with mindfulness while she was recording audio and video of scenic destinations in Florida for another project. In the second phase of the study, Lu and her co-authors analyzed online reviews from participants in nine virtual tours of natural areas in other countries offered by a prominent global travel agency. Lu text-mined more than 3,000 reviews — which included videography of cherry blossoms and forest bathing in Japan, a live wildlife safari in South Africa and a sunset hike with a geologist in Thailand — to explore whether immersive digital experiences offered the same benefits as physical engagement with nature.

Nature-based mindfulness — which combines focus on the present moment with awareness of natural surroundings — is a growing area of interest in tourism, striving to offer experiences that transcend mere recreation, promote wellness and fulfillment, deepen connections with nature and motivate environmental stewardship, the team wrote.

“The findings suggest that videography can do more than just document nature,” Lu said. “Nature-based mindfulness builds people's coping resources and contributes to a stronger sense of well-being. It can also help people to slow down, notice more and feel more connected to the environment.”

Published in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, the findings underscore the promise of videography in creating digital and conventional nature-based tourist experiences that are fulfilling, reflective and sustainable.

“Videography redefines how tourists engage with nature, enabling meaningful experiences even beyond physical presence,” said corresponding author Yao-Chin Wang, a professor of tourism, hospitality and event management at the University of Florida. “The value of videography lies not in capturing nature, but in shaping how people experience, interpret and connect with it.”

In 2022, while conducting videography at beaches, forests, swamps and botanic gardens, Lu — then a graduate student at the University of Florida — kept a daily field journal. Her journal entries explored the sensory and emotional impact of the natural phenomena around her, such as the heat from the sun and the sounds of bird calls and flowing water.

“As I adjusted the frame to follow the slow sway of the prairie, all thoughts dissolved. There was only the rustle of wind, the filtered sunlight and the rhythm of my breath. In that moment, each shot was a meditation, a conscious act of witnessing,” Lu wrote.

In text-mining participants’ sentiments about the online video tours, the team found that the comments fell into 10 primary categories — such as observations about the beauty of nature and expressions of enjoyment, hope and anticipation. Some reviewers alluded to transformative effects as well, indicating that the experiences helped them feel happier and more relaxed or that they and their partner slept better afterward.

Many tourists wrote that the video tours had intensified their emotional connections to the destinations shown and heightened their desires to revisit them, the team found. The findings have far-reaching implications for tourist agencies, conservationists and people hungering to explore scenic places digitally.

“The insights from the study suggest that videography can replicate the positive emotional effects of direct encounters with nature,” Lu said. “Stakeholders in the tourism industry can use these findings to curate videos or design visitor experiences at natural destinations that prioritize emotional engagement and enhance participants’ satisfaction and well-being. Policymakers can also draw on this research to promote sustainable tourism practices.”

Sabine Grunwald, a professor of pedometrics and landscape analysis, and Sharon Lynn Chu, a professor of computer and information science and engineering, both at the University of Florida, also co-wrote the study. The research was supported by SEED Funding from the University of Florida Informatics Institute.