Moments in nature—even just a few minutes—can measurably improve mood, focus, and wellbeing.
MaryCarol Hunter, PhD, is an ecologist and landscape architect at the University of Michigan. Her work bridges ecology and design, focusing on how everyday encounters with nature—particularly in cities—affect human health and wellbeing. She has led pioneering studies quantifying the psychological benefits of short “nature doses,” showing how even ten minutes outdoors can reduce stress and improve mood.
Her research provides clear evidence for what Sacred Places offer: that small, intentional green spaces within daily reach can deliver profound mental health benefits. Hunter’s work demonstrates that design and ecology together can optimize these impacts, offering insights into how the size, biodiversity, and sensory qualities of a green space shape its restorative power.
Articles
- "Urban Nature Experiences Reduce Stress in the Context of Daily Life Based on Salivary Biomarkers" (Frontiers in Psychology, 2019)
- “Designer's Approach for Scene Selection in Tests of Preference and Restoration Along a Continuum of Natural to Manmade Environments” (Frontiers in Psychology, 2015)
- “Spatial Contagion: Gardening Along the Street in Residential Neighborhoods” (Landscape and Urban Planning, 2012)
