How Breaks in Nature Can Affect the Users’ Wellbeing: An Experience-Based Survey During the Lockdown (COVID-19): Strategies for Healthy and Resilient Green Areas in Our Cities

In the occasion of COVID-19 pandemic, the life of citizens was greatly disrupted—from healthcare professionals to the smart workers—and consequently also the state of mood. On the basis of the scientific evidence about the relationship between the built environment and health, a research group has promoted an investigation on the benefits that greenery can have on the psycho-physical state of the users, especially healthcare staff and users at home. The methodology adopted is the Profile of Mood States, which provides experiential activity in nature—without any technological distraction- to evaluate the benefits of mood. The methodology adopted refers to the shorter version (34 items) elaborated by prof. Grove at the University of Western Australia. About the COVID-19 pandemic, the experience-based questionnaire was administered to general users in Italy. The questionnaire is composed of a few questions, to be completed before and after an experience in nature of 20/30 min. The investigation requires to be carried out in private gardens, balconies and/or terraces with greenery, public green areas, etc. 225 participants took part to the investigation. Data analysis highlighted the higher performances in anxiety, depression, anger, force, fatigue, and confusion, for users who had the experience in the garden (-50/70%). Although it is well-known the benefits that nature affects positively on well-being and stress level of users, the investigation underlines that a brief break in nature—especially in a period of great stress such as the pandemic—can influence the well-being and mental health of users. The chapter aims to list and suggest some design strategies for a new approach to the design of healthy cities.