Adolescents’ experiences in nature: Sources of everyday well-being

Recently, adolescents’ decreasing contact with nature has raised concerns in many urbanized societies. In this study, we analyze Finnish leisure time experiences natural environments. The material consists of 39 thematic writings written by 15–16-year-old adolescents living the city Lahti, Finland. analysis accounts was informed hermeneutic phenomenology. While visiting a spontaneous everyday activity for young participants, it meant possibility to escape daily life filled routines, demands, and social norms. Nature experienced as multisensory via sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste. Natural environments enabled not only shared friends family but also positive solitude. were typically described their psychological well-being benefits, especially increasing calmness, improving mood or feelings. findings highlight importance acknowledging role experiences.