Happiness and life satisfaction associated with greenspace visits, greenspace type, and nature in self: findings from the England’s people and nature cross-sectional survey

Subjective wellbeing includes happiness and life satisfaction; and greenspace use is considered an important influence on both. This study investigated variations in happiness and life satisfaction based on greenspace visits, type of greenspace, and differences in nature-self relationships using the People and Nature Survey. Greenspace visits generally were associated with higher levels of both outcomes; a pattern observed up to a fortnight after, irrespective of greenspace type. Higher levels of nature as part of the respondent’s self-concept were associated with being happier and more satisfied with life. The findings should encourage landscape, urban design, and environmental social science professionals to integrate individual differences when developing future greenspaces, so that they are accessible and relevant to a range of users, supporting use that may be associated with greater happiness and life satisfaction.