Psychology comes to life at iconic attraction

Students visited the Eden Project to learn more about how different environments affect the way we think, feel and act
Psychology students at Eden project

Psychology comes to life at iconic attraction

Students visited the Eden Project to learn more about how different environments affect the way we think, feel and act

Psychology students are used to hands-on learning at the University of Plymouth. But their understanding was taken to a new level when they visited the Eden Project to explore how the natural environment impacts our health and wellbeing. 
More than 120 Plymouth psychology undergraduate and masters students visited the iconic Cornish attraction to test how nature impacts their mental performance under stress, and how immersive interaction with nature can help to regulate their emotions.  
Psychology students at Eden Project
Psychology students at Eden Project
Psychology students at Eden Project
In the Rainforest Biome, the students measured each other’s ability to do difficult mental arithmetic tasks near a hot and humid rope bridge, a cool and soothing waterfall, or the café while wearing a Mendi wearable device that measures changes to blood flow to the pre-frontal cortex – crucial for understanding the brain’s response to mental workload. 
In the Mediterranean Biome, students explored how mindful drawing and sensorial immersion with aromatic plants can help to calm minds and emotions.
The results showed them how natural environments impacted their ability to focus and deal with stress, and that mindful interaction with nature can provide wellbeing benefits.   

Student perspective  

Gracie-Anne Cotton, who is studying for her masters in psychology, said: 
“For me the café was difficult as very noisy, but right at the top by the bridge – even though it was high – was much easier to focus due to all the greenery around. 
 
Nature helps you regulate and calm down. The lectures and people are great at the Uni, and it’s been brilliant to get out on a field trip and put learning into play.”
The University has previously led studies that show nature’s positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing. 

At the University of Plymouth we are so lucky to be on the doorstep of some of the most stunning nature in the country, and the Eden Project is a living lab of how exposure to different natural environments can influence our mind and body, from regulating our mood to coping with mental stress.

It’s wonderful that our students have such a great opportunity to balance an enriching educational experience with a day out in nature.
The trip is giving students a practical and observable way of how their brains and minds respond to real world environments, taking psychological science out of lecture theatres and into the wild.
Plymouth has amazing world-leading researchers in all areas of psychology, so it’s been great to come to the Eden Project and bring learning to life.

Julie JiDr Julie Ji
Lecturer in Psychology

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