A Good Study Break: Effects of Nature versus TV on Attention

ABSTRACT Recent research has found fascinating connections between nature exposure and human well-being. In particular, previous research suggests that nature is a restorative environment for attention once an individual experiences mental fatigue. This study investigates whether the viewing of natural environments on television allows for regeneration of attention as well. Participants were assigned to one of four 20 minute study breaks: viewing either a completely natural setting in a park near campus, a semi-built environment on campus, nature TV, or a popular sitcom. There attention was tested before and after the treatments using a backwards digit-span test. While no significant results were found, a trend suggested that nature was the most restorative of the four treatments. This tells us that nature on TV cannot replace the real experience