Study: Watching Sunsets and Dawns Improves Mental Health

Despite a large number of studies on the impact of nature on our mental health, most of the scientific papers have evaluated these effects under normal blue skies. Surprisingly, few people have thought about how we respond to the daytime rhythms of the sun.

Fill this gap decided researchers at the British University of Exeter. As part of a large experiment using computer graphics, they showed urban and rural landscapes at different times of the day to more than 2,500 participants.

When elements such as sunrise and sunset were present in these scenes, people noted them as much more beautiful than when they were observed in sunny weather and at any other time of the day.

Moreover, it turned out that sunrise and sunset often cause people to feel awe and delight. The researchers noted that such emotions, which are usually difficult to create artificially, can improve mood and enhance positive feelings.

IN article, published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, scientists write that encouraging sunrise and sunset watching can be used as part of "green" recipes when nature plays an important therapeutic role in mental health treatment.

Recently a similar study proved the mental health benefits of going out into nature—to a park, forest, or garden. And if you catch sunrise or sunset at the same time, then the positive effect can be double.