How coastal environments improve psychological wellbeing: underlying mechanisms

Stemming from the literature on the link between nature and wellbeing, the PhD aims to investigate the specific mechanisms that explain how coastal environments impact wellbeing. Current research on green spaces agree that physical activity, stress reduction, social interactions, and air quality are all important mediators, however the emotional dimension has yet to be investigated. This PhD will focus on two prominent emotions, awe and nostalgia, that potentially explain why being at the coast boosts our hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing. We will additionally evaluate whether increasing sensory awareness to the coast through mindful attention reinforces the link between the coast and wellbeing, through awe and nostalgia.