The Benefits of Nature: How Spending Time Outdoors Can Improve Your Mental Health

Nature is good for you. It helps you de-stress, relax, and stay healthy. And spending time outdoors is easy to incorporate into your daily routine. But how does it really work?


First, let’s talk about the physical benefits. In the US alone, over half of the population has some form of chronic health condition, and the Centers for Disease Control report that nearly 4.6 million people died from cardiovascular disease alone in 2014.

According to the National Institute on Aging, Americans spend an average of 6.8 hours per day sitting down, and an estimated one in four adults is obese. Spending so much time inside isn’t good for our health. Even worse, according to the American Psychological Association, “Sitting too much is the number one risk factor for death worldwide, even beating smoking.”

But spending time outside has more benefits than physical health. In fact, spending time outdoors has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health. It helps you unwind, improve your mood, boost your creativity, and build your memory.

In a recent study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, researchers found that exposure to nature can reduce stress and depression. A separate study in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that just 30 minutes of nature exposure can improve mood, reduce stress, and lower blood pressure.

Other studies show that spending time outside increases our happiness, lowers anxiety, and improves our sense of well-being. Even spending time in the park can make us happier.

So the next time you need a break, take a walk through the park, go for a hike, or go to the beach.