Do seasons matter? Exploring the dynamic link between blue-green space and mental restoration

In the face of the increasing mental health crisis, there is a growing awareness of the benefits of natural environments, especially urban blue-green spaces in promoting mental health. However, most studies neglected the dynamics of blue-green space over the seasons and the dynamic effects on mental restoration. In addition, the access to nature can be quantified from multiple dimensions, but few studies have measured the specific characteristics (such as revetment type, distance from water, and width of field view) of blue-green space as visitors experienced. To fill these gaps, we conducted a field investigation in 18 selected blue-green spaces in winter and summer, examining the dynamic relationship between blue-green space and mental restoration. A total of 915 samples was collected through questionnaires. The results indicated that the impact of blue-green space on mental restoration varies with the seasons, for example, green space significantly promoted physical activity in summer, but not in winter, and blue space inhibited physical activity more significantly in summer. Moreover, the overall results suggested that blue space did not directly promote the improvement of visitors’ mental health, but improved social interaction, while green space had a direct positive influence on mental restoration. This study explored the dynamic link between blue-green space and mental restoration over different seasons, expanding the potential characteristics of blue-green space that affecting visitors’ mental restoration, and contributing to our knowledge of the health benefits of visiting blue-green spaces. • The impact of blue-green space on mental restoration varies with the seasons. • Green space has a positive impact on physical activity of residents in the summer, but not in the winter. • Blue space promotes residents’ mental restoration by improving their social interaction.