In our modern societies, stress, anxiety, and depression are affecting an increasing number of people, while mental health is talked about every day. Recent studies from the European Environment Agency and WHO Europe show that noisy and polluted urban environments contribute to these issues, while regular interactions with nature offer tangible benefits. Gardening, walking in the forest, spending time near water, or participating in outdoor social activities are now recognized for reducing stress, improving mood, and enhancing the sense of well-being. But what about hunting? This ancient practice, often perceived only from a polemical angle of guilty leisure or animal population management, could also support the mental health of practitioners? Hunters indeed spend long periods in natural environments, away from noise and pollution, while remaining physically and socially engaged. This immersion in nature provides a unique opportunity to combine exercise, contemplation, and social interaction, three pillars known to improve psychological well-being.
Immersion in nature and stress reduction
Interventions based on nature, or NbS (Nature-based Solutions), show that simple contact with green and blue spaces significantly reduces stress and anxiety. Hunting, by immersing participants in forests, wetlands, or open landscapes, offers a similar experience to “forest bathing” used in some therapies. Walking quietly, observing wildlife, or listening to natural sounds helps slow down mental pace and reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone. Even relatively short sessions, from 20 to 90 minutes, repeated several times a week, can generate positive effects on mood and psychological resilience.
Physical activity and meaningful engagement
Hunting is not just contemplative: it often involves long walks, carrying equipment, or monitoring hunting areas, combining physical activity and connection with the environment. These forms of outdoor exercise, known as “green exercise,” are scientifically recognized to reduce depressive and anxious symptoms. Moreover, taking care of habitat management or participating in local conservation confers a sense of accomplishment and reinforces self-esteem. Meaningful engagement in nature, whether physical or cognitive, plays a key role in mental well-being.
Social dimension and sense of belonging
Beyond nature and physical activity, hunting offers an important social dimension. Exchanges between hunters, knowledge transmission, and participation in common projects foster social bonds and reduce feelings of isolation, a major factor in psychological distress. Nature-based interventions show that group activities amplify mental health benefits by enhancing social support and community cohesion. Thus, hunting can be a naturally and socially enriching form of social prescription, contributing to mental health while respecting the principles of the One Health concept, which links human and environmental health.
As cities grow and daily stress increases, hunting could emerge as a means to reconnect individuals with nature, promote physical activity, and strengthen social ties. While specific scientific studies on its psychological effects are still needed, evidence from nature-based interventions suggests that the potential benefits for mental well-being are real and promising. In a context of mental health crisis, rethinking hunting not only as leisure or sustainable management but also as a vector of psychological health deserves our full attention.
