| In addition to the intuitive sense and literary works that
speak to the importance of plants and natural settings to human
well-being, there is growing empirical support that documents these
beneficial aspects. The presentation focuses on a conceptual framework for
understanding why the natural setting plays such a vital role. The
question of what makes an environment serve a restorative function for a
mentally fatigued individual turns out, upon careful examination, to be
two distinct questions. First, what is the nature of mental fatigue; what
causes it and what are its consequences? Second, what are the properties
of and environment that has the capacity to help restore an individual to
healthy, effective functioning? Drawing on considerable research, the
answers to both of these questions provide fresh insight into the source
of nature's remarkable power. The framework points to some direct
applications for enhancing the restorative qualities of an environment; it
also offers many useful directions for guiding further research in this
important area. |