# Silence to grow: psychological transformation during long-time engagement in green and blue nature

## TL;DR

Spending extended time in nature, like on tall ships or solo hikes, can lead to psychological growth and new perspectives through challenging emotional experiences.

## Contribution

The study reveals how emotional lows during long-term nature immersion catalyze psychological transformation and personal growth.

## Key findings

- Participants experienced an emotional dip that was crucial for transformation and new perspectives.
- Five key themes emerged, including mental low points, reflection, presence, nature's role, and bodily awareness.
- Prolonged nature engagement shows potential for human growth, though outcomes depend on intervening factors.

## Abstract

This study investigates the influence of extended nature engagement on psychological transformation within a Norwegian undergraduate outdoor life and nature guide program. We examined two distinct immersive experiences: a 1-month tall ship adventure where students volunteered in a social entrepreneurship program for youth, and a solo forest hike of up to 14 days incorporating Shinrin Yoku-inspired invitations. Data included post-experience interviews with four students (two from each group) and analyses of their written exam papers, which partly also documented systematic wellbeing monitoring. As hypothesized, participants in both groups experienced an emotional “dip” or challenging low point, which proved essential for the transformation and emergence of new perspectives. Developing a solitude mindset over a loneliness mindset was a main challenge for the solo hikers. Five overarching themes were identified: 1. Reaching a mental low point before growth, 2. Time to reflect, 3. Being present, 4. The role of nature and awe experiences and 5. Bodily rhythm and awareness. The study suggests that prolonged nature engagement offers significant potential for human growth and development, although specific intervening factors may affect the outcomes. Nevertheless, the inherent capacity for human transformation within such experiences is evident.