Watching Sir David Attenborough’s nature documentaries may boost people’s sex lives, new research suggests.
Planet Earth and Blue Planet could improve viewers’ confidence by helping them to have ‘a more compassionate view of their body’, a study found.
Study author Professor Viren Swami, from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, said: ‘Views of rivers and trees are devoid of materialism and so allow the viewer respite from thoughts of image.
‘Our findings suggest there could be a straightforward and low-cost solution for promoting healthier body image, particularly for individuals who may not have easy access to real natural environments, for example if they live in a city centre or because of a lack of mobility.’
Previous research suggests people have sex more often if they are confident in their own skin.
Watching Sir David Attenborough’s nature documentaries may boost people’s sex lives (stock)
Sir Attenborough’s programmes, such as Blue Planet, could improve viewers’ confidence
How the research was carried out
The researchers analysed 36 students who watched two three-minute films shot from a first-person perspective around Cambridge.
One film showed a walk through built-up streets in the city centre, while the other was shot on the banks of the River Cam.
After viewing the footage, the participants ranked their moods and body appreciation scores on a scale of five.
‘Nature helps individuals have a compassionate view of their body’
Professor Swami said: ‘There are a number of possible explanations for our results including the idea natural environments promote ‘soft fascination’, which is a state of cognitive quiet that fosters self-kindness and helps individuals have a more compassionate view of their body.
‘Views of rivers and trees are also devoid of any reminders of materialism – and so allows the viewer respite from thoughts of consumption and image.
‘To the extent films also include multi-sensory, dynamic characteristics of an environment, they may be more effective at promoting improvements in body image compared to static images which lack these characteristics.’
The researchers add further research is required to determine how nature scenes promote body confidence.
Professor Swami added: ‘If we watch Springwatch on the sofa whilst at the same time checking our Twitter feed, it’s possible the natural scenes might not have the same immersive effect.’
The findings were published in the journal Body Image.
Past research suggests people have sex more often if they are confident in their skin (stock)
Having sex once a week slows ageing in women
This comes after research released last July found having sex at least once a week slows ageing in women, even if they do not enjoy being intimate.
Being active between the sheets increases the length of women’s telomeres, a study found.
These ‘cap’ the end of DNA strands, with longer lengths being associated with slower ageing, longer lifespans and improved overall health.
Women’s telomeres lengthen with regular love making regardless of whether they are sexually satisfied in their relationship, the research adds.
Researchers, from the University of California, San Francisco, believe sex may aid aging in women by dampening stress and boosting their immune system.