Can walking in green and blue spaces improve the psychological and physiological outcomes of grief following a bereavement?

About the Project

The National Health Service (NHS) outlines five steps for positive mental wellbeing: 1) connecting with others, 2) being physically active, 3) learning new skills, 4) giving to others, and 5) paying attention to the present moment (NHS, 2020). These steps may be achieved through walking outdoors when appropriate conditions are met. Evidence suggests that time spent outdoors and low-intensity physical activity like walking offer significant psychological and physical benefits and may enhance grief outcomes for those who have experienced bereavement (Williams et al., 2021).

Exposure to green spaces has been shown to protect against poor mental health, cardiovascular disease, and mortality (James et al., 2015). Longer visits to green spaces are associated with reduced rates of depression and high blood pressure (Shanahan et al., 2016), with 30-minute weekly visits potentially reducing these conditions by 7% and 9%, respectively.

Across 143 studies, green space exposure was linked to reduced diastolic blood pressure, salivary cortisol, heart rate, diabetes incidence, and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (Twohig-Bennett & Jones, 2018). Notably, a distinction has been observed between simply being outside and being in nature: a study of 406 participants found no strong associations between mental health and being outdoors at home, but did find that natural environment exposure, particularly surrounding greenness, significantly benefited mental health (Triguero-Mas et al., 2017).

Walking is a simple, low-risk behaviour associated with reduced disease risk and NHS costs (Lee & Buchner, 2008). Barton et al. (2009) emphasise walking's value across multiple domains—exercise, travel, relaxation, and social connection—but stress the need to motivate people to walk more and to dispel the belief that only high-intensity or gym-based activity leads to health improvements.

Green space exposure has also been linked to reductions in stroke, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, asthma, and coronary heart disease, along with better self-reported health (Caoimhe & Jones, 2018). Such contact with nature is widely recognised for reducing stress, improving mood, and restoring mental focus (Barton et al., 2009). A systematic review by Thompson et al. (2011) found that outdoor exercise resulted in greater revitalisation, engagement, and energy, along with reduced tension, confusion, anger, and depression, compared to indoor exercise.

The need for stress reduction interventions is evident. A 2018 UK survey of 4,169 adults found that 74% had felt so stressed within the past year that they were overwhelmed and unable to cope (Mental Health Foundation, 2018). Persistent stress has known physiological consequences, especially for cardiovascular health. While the cardiovascular system can respond efficiently to short-term stress, chronic stress can damage heart health. Social isolation—often a result of bereavement—is linked to elevated coronary heart disease risk (Steptoe & Kivimäki, 2012). This highlights the relevance of exploring how nature exposure affects stress biomarkers like cortisol.

Olafsdottir et al. (2018) compared cortisol levels in university students who walked in nature, watched nature scenes on TV, or walked on a treadmill. These tests occurred both during exam-free periods and during exams. As expected, baseline cortisol was higher during exams. Although all interventions reduced cortisol, the most significant reductions occurred after walking in nature, reinforcing its therapeutic potential and the value of exploring "Moving Medicine" as a cost-effective stress-reduction strategy.

Bereavement is among life’s most stressful experiences. Though grief is natural, its psychological and physiological effects—such as depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, immune suppression, and cardiovascular issues—can be profound and long-lasting (Stroebe et al., 2007). Traditional therapeutic options may not be accessible, suitable, or effective for everyone (Chater et al., 2022; Williams et al., 2023), which underscores the need to investigate low-cost, community-based alternatives.

Nature exposure, particularly through walking in green (e.g., parks, forests) and blue (e.g., rivers, lakes, coasts) spaces, has demonstrated positive effects on mental health, stress relief, and wellbeing (Twohig-Bennett & Jones, 2018; White et al., 2019). These environments may encourage emotional regulation, social interaction, and physical activity—key elements in adapting to grief. While the concept of nature-based healing is increasingly recognised, its specific impact on grief remains underexamined.

This study proposes a mixed-methods approach to investigate walking in green and blue spaces as a supportive intervention for people experiencing bereavement. By incorporating physiological measurements, psychological assessments, qualitative interviews, and natural experiments, the study will explore whether walking in natural settings can alleviate grief-related adverse outcomes.

Please note that the research outlined can be undertaken as a PhD (typically 3 years if studying full-time) or, alternatively, as a smaller project in the form of a Masters by Research (typically 1 year if studying full-time).

Institutional Context

The Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research (ISPAR) at the University of Bedfordshire fosters interdisciplinary, cross-boundary research in health and wellbeing at local, national, and international levels. The successful PhD candidate will join a vibrant research community focused on applied health, sport, and physical activity. More information is available at: https://www.beds.ac.uk/ispar/

REF2021 Results

Research in ISPAR was entered into the Unit of Assessment 24 - Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism, with 89% of research outputs and 75% of research impact graded as world leading/internationally excellent.

Supervisory Team

The candidate will be supported by a multidisciplinary team of leading researchers:

• Professor Angel Chater – Director of Studies Angel.Chater@beds.ac.uk
• Dr. Julia Zakrzewski-Fruer Julia.Fruer@beds.ac.uk
• Dr. Jane Williams Jane.Williams@beds.ac.uk

Staff profiles can be viewed at: https://www.beds.ac.uk/ispar/about/staff/

Funding Notes

This is a self-funded opportunity. Information on research degree fees and scholarships can be found here: https://www.beds.ac.uk/rgs/fees-and-scholarships/. Candidates will be provided with dedicated researcher training and supervision, alongside research consumables and dissemination activities where possible.

Enquiries

• Professor Angel Chater; angel.chater@beds.ac.uk
• Dr. Julia Fruer; Julia.Fruer@beds.ac.uk

Application Deadline

Applications all year round. Please see the University of Bedfordshire Research Graduate School webpage for March and October intake deadlines: https://www.beds.ac.uk/rgs/apply/