The Benefits of Time in Nature
Growing scientific evidence confirms that spending time in nature provides physical, mental, and emotional health benefits. Below are some of the benefits time in nature has been associated with, the articles or studies behind them, and additional resources for you to explore.
The positive effects of nature are something to keep in mind when building a healthy, balanced lifestyle, but you should see a doctor about any illnesses you may have.
Take a moment to explore the information below, then go out and enjoy nature!
Helps decrease stress and lowers the stress hormone, cortisol
- Dreher, Diane, “Why Nature is Good for Our Brains,” Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-personal-renaissance/201511/why-nature-is-good-our-brains
- Park, et al., “The Physiological Effects of Shinrin-yoku (Taking in the Forest Atmosphere or Forest Bathing),” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19568835
Lowers pulse rate and blood pressure
- Park, et al., “The Physiological Effects of Shinrin-yoku (Taking in the Forest Atmosphere or Forest Bathing),” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19568835
Improves distance vision and lowers the chance of nearsightedness
- McBrien, Morgan and Mutti, “What’s Hot in Myopia Research – The 12th International Myopia Conference,” http://journals.lww.com/optvissci/Fulltext/2009/01000/What_s_Hot_in_Myopia_Research_The_12th.2.aspx
Raises Vitamin D levels
- “Health Benefits,” National Wildlife Federation, https://www.nwf.org/Home/Kids-and-Family/Connecting-Kids-and-Nature/Health-Benefits-and-Tips
People who exercised in natural settings, as opposed to indoors, were shown to have lower blood pressure, higher self-esteem, and improved mood
- Gazella, Karolyn, “Exercising Outdoors Improves Mood,” Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-healing-factor/201110/get-out-seriously-get-outside-enhance-your-health
- “Well Being,” American Society of Landscape Architects, https://www.asla.org/ContentDetail.aspx?id=39515
- Barton, Jo and Pretty, Jules, “What is the Best Does of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health? A Multi-Study Analysis,” Environmental Science & Technology, http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es903183r
Natural areas improve our air quality, which promotes healthier lungs and people
- “Asthma and Respiratory Disorders,” American Society of Landscape Architects: https://www.asla.org/ContentDetail.aspx?id=39567
Restores your ability to focus
- BeKoff, Mark, “Your Heart and Brain on Nature: A Scientific Update,” Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animal-emotions/201603/your-heart-and-brain-nature-scientific-update
Reduces ADHD symptoms
- Yates, Diana, “For Kids with ADHD, Regular ‘Green Time’ is Linked to Milder Symptoms,” University of Illinois, https://news.illinois.edu/blog/view/6367/205232
- Sarkis, Stephanie, “Being Outdoors and Exercising can Help ADHD Symptoms,” Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/here-there-and-everywhere/201204/being-outdoors-and-exercising-can-help-adhd-symptoms?collection=93423
- Wells, N.M., “At Home with Nature: Effects of ‘Greenness’ on Children’s Cognitive Functioning,” Environment and Behavior, http://eab.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/32/6/775
Increases creativity
- BeKoff, Marc, “Your Heart and Brain on Nature: A Scientific Update,” Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animal-emotions/201603/your-heart-and-brain-nature-scientific-update
- Wasmer Andrews, Linda, “Set Outside to Think Outside the Box,” Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/minding-the-body/201405/step-outdoors-think-outside-the-box
Environment-based education increases test performance and critical thinking skills
- “Health Benefits,” National Wildlife Federation, https://www.nwf.org/Home/Kids-and-Family/Connecting-Kids-and-Nature/Health-Benefits-and-Tips
Helps people feel more empathetic, strengthens bonds, and enhances social interaction
- “Health Benefits,” National Wildlife Federation, https://www.nwf.org/Home/Kids-and-Family/Connecting-Kids-and-Nature/Health-Benefits-and-Tips
Our Need for the Outdoors
The average American child spends just 7 minutes playing outdoors each day
- Zoll, Keiko, “Do Kids in the US Need More Recess? Yes, They Desperately Do,” Romper, https://www.romper.com/p/do-kids-in-the-us-need-more-recess-yes-they-desperately-do-6934
- Juster, F. Thomas, Ono, Hiromi, and Stafford, Frank P., “Changing Times of American Youth: 1981-2003,” University of Michigan, http://ns.umich.edu/Releases/2004/Nov04/teen_time_report.pdf
Americans spend 93% of their time either indoors or in an enclosed vehicle
- Green, Amy, “The Restorative Effect of Nature: Why Connecting to the Great Outdoors is Good for Our Wellbeing,” Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/psy-curious/201603/the-restorative-effect-nature
Too much screen time can negatively effect our brain
- Dunckley, Victoria L., “Gray Matters: Too Much Screen Time Damages the Brain,” Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mental-wealth/201402/gray-matters-too-much-screen-time-damages-the-brain
- Dunckley, Victoria L., “Screentime is Making Kids Moody, Crazy and Lazy,” Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mental-wealth/201508/screentime-is-making-kids-moody-crazy-and-lazy
Explore More
Children & Nature Network, online research center: http://www.childrenandnature.org/research
Psychology Today, Richard Louv’s blog, “People in Nature”: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/people-in-nature
National Environmental Education Foundation, “Children & Nature: Being Active in Nature Makes Kids Healthier” infographic: https://www.neefusa.org/resource/children-and-nature-infographic
American Society of Landscape Architects, benefits of nature organized into topics for adults and children: https://www.asla.org/healthbenefitsofnature.aspx
National Wildlife Federation, Health Benefits & Tips: https://www.nwf.org/Home/Kids-and-Family/Connecting-Kids-and-Nature/Health-Benefits-and-Tips
WYPR Podcast, Richard Louv, “Adults and Nature Deficit Disorder”: http://wypr.org/post/adults-and-nature-deficit-disorder#stream/0
