Livestream Lifesaver

From fat bears in Alaska to waddling penguins in Australia, nature-focused livestreams have captured the attention of millions. But new research from social work Professor Rebecca Mauldin reveals that these entertaining videos aren’t just connecting viewers to the natural world; they’re also connecting them to each other.

“People connect with the material, and it helps them reflect on their own lives—family memories, vacations, sibling stories—just from watching something happening 1,000 miles away,” she says.

Her study, which was published in Current Opinion in Psychology, points to the potential mental health and social benefits of using nature-focused livestreams with populations that have limited physical access to the outdoors.

“We already know direct experiences in nature are good for us,” Dr. Mauldin says. “Now we’re seeing that livestreams can offer some of those same benefits, and they’re accessible to anyone with a screen.”