Comparing the mental restoration of frozen and liquid waterscapes: the frozen water hypothesis
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/jeelm.2026.28513Abstract
In cold regions, outdoor water bodies undergo an annual phase shift from liquid to solid. Although waterscapes are widely recognized for their mental health benefits, the psychological impact of frozen water remains poorly understood. This study examined the mental restoration capacity of liquid water and frozen water using a comparative assessment. The findings demonstrate that the restorative potential of frozen water is significantly lower than that of its liquid counterpart. However, this disparity can be mitigated by enhancing the diversity of the surrounding landscape. Based on the study’s findings and considering the close synchrony between the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and the seasonal occurrence of frozen water in the environment, as well as the symptomatic overlap between SAD and high mental stress, this study puts forward the frozen water hypothesis, which posits that frozen water in the environment may contribute to the development of SAD.
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frozen water, mental restoration, comparative assessment, seasonal affective disorder, landscape managementHow to Cite
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