The role of exposure to nature in perceived stress by veterinary students

Abstract

Veterinary school is intense and represents a challenging time for students, and increasingly, veterinary students are being diagnosed with a variety of concerning mental health issues including stress, anxiety, and depression, often resulting in poor academic performance. Because of the disproportionately high risk of mental health problems in the veterinary field, it is important that students learn, understand, and utilize simple and effective techniques to cope with stress, and demands of the profession. Spending time in natural environments such as outdoor parks, green spaces, and urban forests is an effective strategy for improving mental health. In this study, we examined the self-reported effects of repeated, structured time in a nature-based intervention, vs a control group of veterinary students. Participants reported significantly lower perceived stress levels compared to a control group. Students overwhelmingly reported that they would recommend this stress reduction technique to their classmates, and they stated that they planned to continue spending time in nature to improve their mindset and reduce stress in the future.