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

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.