Spending time in nature may strengthen cognitive processes that help people cope when they are feeling negative about their body.
Negative body image is a risk factor for behaviors like disordered eating, which can have disastrous consequences for one’s body, mind, and relationships. Nowadays, it can be harder to avoid negative body thoughts when navigating social media.
Being in natural environments—as opposed to built environments, like cities and highways—has repeatedly been linked to having a positive body image in previous research. Even seeing pictures of trees, mountains, and lakes may, at least temporarily, can calm negative self-talk about your appearance.