News

“A key lesson of SDT is that human beings could be happier while inflicting less environmental damage if our choices were focused more on our finite psychological needs and less on our boundless material wants”

April 30, 2021 by Lemos Kelly

-Randall Curren SDT Environment Editor, Professor & Chair, Philosophy Dept, University of Rochester

AgriLife Today: A walk on the wild side becomes more than just exercise

November 13, 2020 by Lemos Kelly

Agrilife Today explains people's attachment to nature through their Basic Psychological Needs. Studies suggest human wilderness connection has psychological roots and could reduce disease risk.

NPR: Living Well Now: What Does It Take?

January 21, 2018 by Lemos Kelly

Self-Determination Theory acknowledged by National Public Radio as an important perspective in living well.

NJ.com: Outdoor ‘green’ can fight the blues

January 11, 2015 by Shannon

January 11th 2014. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology in 2010 showed that spending even just 20 minutes a day in fresh air boosts vitality that is, having both physical and mental energy. “Research has shown that people with a greater sense of vitality don’t just have more energy for things they...

Living Green Magazine: Being in Nature Makes Us Healthier & Happier

May 2, 2014 by Shannon

“Nature is fuel for the soul,” said Richard Ryan, professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, in a release. “Often when we feel depleted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized is to connect with nature.”

Natural News: New study proves exposure to nature directly improves happiness

January 15, 2014 by Shannon

Richard Ryan quoted on natures effect on people's energy levels... The lead author and a professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, Richard Ryan, insists, "Nature is fuel for the soul. Often when we feel depleted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized is to connect with nature."

Hutchington News: Solution to many a problem: Take a walk

August 31, 2013 by Shannon

Richard Ryan quoted on nature and architecture... Research has also shown similar benefits to simply being around nature. One study showed that spending time in natural settings makes us more generous and more community-oriented, a conclusion that has "implications not only for city planning but also for indoor design and architecture," according to the study's co-author Richard Ryan, of the University of Rochester Medical Center

Huffington Post: Hemingway, Thoreau, Jefferson and the Virtues of a Good Long Walk

August 9, 2013 by Shannon

August 9th 2013. “Research has also shown similar benefits to simply being around nature. One study showed that spending time in natural settings makes us more generous and more community-oriented, a conclusion that has “implications not only for city planning but also for indoor design and architecture,” according to the study’s co-author Richard Ryan of the University...

NothernLife.ca: A little fresh air

November 5, 2012 by Shannon

November 5th 2012. “Nature is fuel for the soul,” said Richard Ryan, author and professor of psychology at the University of Rochester. “Nature is something within which we flourish, so having it be more a part of our lives is critical, especially when we live and work in built environments.” Read more...