University of AkureyriKristjánsdóttir, Harpa LindSigurðardóttir, SigrúnPálsdóttir, Anna María2025-11-142025-11-142020-12-01Kristjánsdóttir, H L, Sigurðardóttir, S & Pálsdóttir, A M 2020, 'The restorative potential of Icelandic nature', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 17, no. 23, 9095, pp. 1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph172390951661-7827702215675fb40c49-c487-42b8-a044-30f575e1e6048509742415433291500https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/5836Publisher Copyright: © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.This study aimed to investigate if proposed restorative attributes according to attention restoration theory and supportive environment theory could be experienced and identified in Icelandic landscape and contribute to a restorative experience in nature sites in rural Iceland. A prospective mixed-method study was conducted over the period of one year. Seven different nature sites that were considered likely to have restorative qualities were selected for the evaluation i.e., three forest sites, three seashores, and one park in and in the vicinity of Ísafjörður, Iceland. Each site was evaluated regarding how the participants experienced its restorative qualities and how a stay therein affected their mental state. Nature visits were offered once a week, where the participants visited one of the seven locations for two hours. The findings show that the participants perceived and experienced nature sites as having the characteristics of a restorative environment and that staying at the nature sites positively affected their mental state. External conditions, like weather, which can affect nature visits, were rarely a hinderance. Thus, it can be concluded that numerous coastal areas, forests, and parks in Iceland, especially in rural areas, might possess restorative qualities as well. This result shows that wild and open nature in North West Iceland has the characteristics of a restorative environment and can be utilized for health promotion.2153509691-21eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessBlue healthForestryHealth promotionLandscape architectureNature-based rehabilitationPerceived sensory dimensionsRestorative environmentSalutogenesisVocational rehabilitationPollutionPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational HealthHealth, Toxicology and MutagenesisSDG 2 - Zero HungerSDG 6 - Clean Water and SanitationSDG 3 - Good Health and Well-beingSDG 4 - Quality EducationSDG 1 - No PovertySDG 5 - Gender EqualitySDG 10 - Reduced InequalitiesSDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesSDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and ProductionSDG 13 - Climate ActionSDG 14 - Life Below WaterSDG 15 - Life on LandSDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong InstitutionsSDG 17 - Partnerships for the GoalsSDG 7 - Affordable and Clean EnergySDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic GrowthSDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/researchoutputtypes/contributiontojournal/article10.3390/ijerph17239095