IJERPH, Vol. 17, Pages 1229: Horticultural Activity: Its Contribution to Stress Recovery and Wellbeing for Children

IJERPH, Vol. 17, Pages 1229: Horticultural Activity: Its Contribution to Stress Recovery and Wellbeing for Children International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph17041229 Authors: Yuhan Shao Mohamed Elsadek Binyi Liu In recent years, children’s use of mobile phones has grown rapidly, which might lead to an increase in mental stress and negatively affect their health. Despite increasing evidence that horticultural activity can provide significant health benefits, few scientific evidence-based studies are currently available regarding these benefits to children’s health and wellbeing in schools. Therefore, this study aims to determine the potential benefits of horticultural activity for children from both psychological and physiological perspectives. Twenty-six elementary school students (mean age, 8.12 ± 0.21 years) were asked to perform a plant-related task and a mobile game task for 5 min. During both tasks, physiological sensors were used to measure the participants’ heart rate variability, skin conductance, and skin temperature. Additionally, the participants’ emotional responses were assessed using semantic differential and State–Trait Anxiety Inventory tests immediately after each task. Results revealed that, compared with the mobile game task, participants’ health statuses were positively correlated with the horticultural ...
Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Article Source Type: research