Leisure Engagement and Mental Health During COVID-19

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic radically altered patterns of leisure engagement, as restrictions on movement and social interaction prompted a shift towards home‐based, outdoor and digital activities. Researchers have documented how variations in time use and the nature of leisure pursuits have influenced psychological stress, well‐being and physical health across diverse populations. Physical activities such as gardening and exercise emerged as protective factors, ameliorating symptoms of anxiety and depression, while creative and artistic engagements offered cognitive stimulation and emotional regulation. Conversely, excessive news consumption and sedentary behaviours were linked to poorer mental health outcomes. The global evidence underscores the need to promote adaptive leisure strategies in public health guidance, tailoring interventions to cultural and socio‐economic contexts. By integrating daily self‐transcendent experiences, structured outdoor routines and accessible virtual platforms, policy makers and practitioners can support resilience and well‐being during prolonged periods of disruption.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have shown that daily experiences of awe during the pandemic are associated with reduced psychological stress, fewer somatic health complaints and enhanced overall well‐being. Using a longitudinal daily‐diary methodology over a three‐week period, community adults and healthcare professionals reported that on days with higher levels of awe, they experienced significant improvements in mental health and declines in stress‐related symptoms. These findings highlight the potential for intentional cultivation of self‐transcendent moments—such as through nature exposure or art—to buffer against chronic stress and inform public mental health strategies under prolonged crisis conditions.

Leisure Engagement and Mental Health During COVID-19 publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in leisure engagement and mental health during covid-19 across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Awe: A self‐transcendent emotional state characterised by the perception of vastness and the need for cognitive accommodation, linked to reduced stress and enhanced well‐being.

Somatic health symptoms: Physical manifestations such as pain or discomfort that reflect psychosomatic responses to prolonged stress or emotional distress.

Daily‐diary methodology: A longitudinal research design in which participants record experiences and affective states at regular intervals to assess within‐person variations over time.

Panel analysis: A statistical approach that utilises repeated observations of the same individuals to examine causal relationships between behaviours and mental health outcomes.

Mixed‐methods approach: A research strategy combining quantitative and qualitative data to provide comprehensive insights into behavioural patterns and psychological experiences.

References

1. The influences of daily experiences of awe on stress, somatic health, and well-being: a longitudinal study during COVID-19. Scientific Reports (2023).
2. Time use and mental health in UK adults during an 11-week COVID-19 lockdown: a panel analysis. The British Journal of Psychiatry (2021).
3. Leisure Engagement during COVID-19 and Its Association with Mental Health and Wellbeing in U.S. Adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022).
4. Symptoms of depression and anxiety in young people in El Salvador: Associations with peer and family relationships, artistic activities and health behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Affective Disorders (2023).