Environmental psychology has for decades examined the ‘restorative’ effects of nature: recovery from mental fatigue, stress or negative affect through spending time in natural environments. The authors of the new paper argue, however, that another aspect has until now received little attention: the possibility that nature can fortify us even in the absence of stressors through ‘instorative’ effects. Only a few explicitly investigated whether nature can promote attention, positive affect and well-being even without prior strain. • Overlooked ‘instorative’ effects: Nature may also promote attention, positive affect and well-being even without prior depletion. The blind spot in research on nature's benefits: Restorative versus instorative effects and potential biases.