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A
apa.org
article
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature
## Key points
Spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being.
Feeling connected to nature can produce similar benefits to well-being, regardless of how much time one spends outdoors.
Both green spaces and blue spaces (aquatic environments) produce well-being benefits. More remote and biodiverse spaces may be particularly helpful, though even urban parks and trees can lead to positive outcomes. [...] Those generous behaviors weren’t attributed to students’ moods, Zelenski and his colleagues found, so it wasn’t simply that spending time in nature made them happier and therefore more giving. Another plausible (though unproven) explanation is the emotion of awe. “There are some hints that awe is associated with generosity, and nature can be a way to induce awe,” he says. “One of the things that may come from awe is the feeling that the individual is part of a much bigger whole.” [...] “There is mounting evidence, from dozens and dozens of researchers, that nature has benefits for both physical and psychological human well-being,” says Lisa Nisbet, PhD, a psychologist at Trent University in Ontario, Canada, who studies connectedness to nature. “You can boost your mood just by walking in nature, even in urban nature. And the sense of connection you have with the natural world seems to contribute to happiness even when you’re not physically immersed in nature.”
H
healthcare.utah.edu
research
https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2026/06/spending-time-outdoors-can-boo…
## Why Nature Helps You Feel Better
Spending time in nature is linked to several mental and physical health benefits, including:
Lower blood pressure
Decreased anxiety
Lower levels of cortisol, the body’s stress hormone
Improved mood from increased production of serotonin and dopamine, often called “feel-good” chemicals
Better focus and creativity
More opportunities for movement and social connection
Nature may even change how the brain responds to stress. [...] A recent study found that people who spend six hours or more per day in front of screens have a greater risk of developing depression symptoms. At the same time, research highlighted in a Good Notes article by Joanna Bettmann Schaefer, MSW, PhD, a licensed clinical social worker at University of Utah Health, found that just 10 minutes outdoors can improve mood and cognitive function.
In other words, stepping outside may be one of the easiest and most accessible mental health tools available. [...] Busy work and school schedules keep many of us indoors for most of the day. Between desks, screens, and commutes, it’s easy to spend hours without stepping outside. But research shows that even a few minutes in nature can make a real difference in your mental health.
P
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
official
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8125471
## posits that the mental fatigue associated with modern life is associated with a depleted capacity to direct attention . According to this theory, spending time in natural environments enables people to overcome this mental fatigue and to restore the capacity to direct attention . The Stress Reduction Theory (SRT) describes how spending time in nature might influence feelings or emotions by activating the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce stress and autonomic arousal because of [...] students found that students who engaged with green spaces in active ways ≥15 min four or more times per week reported a higher quality of life, better overall mood, and lower perceived stress . Research in the U.S.-based Growing Up Today Study (GUTS) found that increased exposure to greenness measured around the home was associated with a lower risk of high depressive symptoms cross-sectionally (as measured with the McKnight Risk Factor Survey) and a lower incidence of depression [...] Exposure to natural environments has also been studied in relation to the self-reported affective state, or the underlying experience of feeling, emotion or mood. Although study measures vary, studies among adults have generally observed relationships between exposure to natural environments and affective state, with positive associations with positive emotions and negative associations with negative emotions [16,22,23]. A study randomly assigned sixty adults to a 50-min walk in either a
H
health.state.mn.us
article
https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/mentalhealth/nature.html
Apr 14, 2026 — Research shows that being in natural spaces can reduce stress, boost mood, and even improve brain function. Fresh air and greenery help
N
neefusa.org
article
https://www.neefusa.org/story/health-and-environment/mental-health-benefits-s…
“It can be easy to push self-care to the side, but spending time in nature—even for just a few minutes—can reset your perspective and support emotional balance,” said Dr. Stokes-Williamson. “Taking a moment to slow down is essential, especially in the face of chronic stressors like climate change.”
## Learn More About the Benefits of Environmental Education and Access to Nature [...] There is a growing body of research that shows how green spaces reduce stress and improve the mental health of people of all ages. One 2009 study found that “doses'' of nature can be as effective as medication to temporarily improve concentration for children with ADHD. Another study found that greener settings reduce emotional dysregulation and aggression. Spending time in nature can also be healing for former members of the armed forces experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. [...] Perhaps most importantly, the toolkit reinforces an essential message: experiencing eco-anxiety, sadness, or even fear is a sign that students care about the planet and want to protect it. These emotions aren’t obstacles to learning—they are invitations to deeper reflection, greater compassion, and more meaningful action.
H
hsph.harvard.edu
research
https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/time-spent-in-nature-can-boost-physical-and-men…
“[Time spent outdoors] provides a combination of stimulation of different senses and a break from typical overstimulation from urban environments,” she said. “Exposure to green space results in mental restoration and increased positive emotions and decreased anxiety and rumination. Improved mindfulness can result from exposure to green space as well.” [...] “Green spaces can be destinations for walking or bicycling, as well as space for play, and among children, green-space exposure is linked to more playtime and less screen time,” Eliassen told Pop Sugar.
She also said that spending time in nature has been linked to better mental health and a decreased risk of psychiatric disorders among adults and children. [...] Eliassen, professor of nutrition and epidemiology, was among the experts quoted in a December 14 Pop Sugar article about the health impacts of nature and being outside. She explained that exposure to green space has been linked to better sleep, lower blood pressure, and reduced risk of chronic disease—likely because people who spend more time in green spaces also report higher levels of exercise.
M
mcpress.mayoclinic.org
article
https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/mental-health/the-mental-health-benefits-of-na…
One large survey found that people who spent at least two hours a week in nature — whether in one longer outing or in multiple smaller chunks of time — were more likely to positively describe their health and well-being than were people who spent no time in nature. If that seems unattainable, Smith recommends that you aim for 15 minutes each day. [...] Finally, there is evidence that nature exposure is associated with better cognitive function — like memory, attention, creativity and sleep quality.
But perhaps the best part is that nature makes it easy to soak in these benefits.
“Being present in nature doesn’t ask or require anything of us, so it frees up our mind to think more deeply and clearly about things,” says Smith. [...] Some research suggests that even very quick visits outdoors can be beneficial. But there are indications that certain amounts and types of outdoor time may have greater impacts on well-being. A 2021 study, for example, found that the 20- to 90-minute sessions in nature were most beneficial for mental health, with gardening, nature-based therapy and exercise in green spaces being the most effective for adults.
M
mentalhealth.org.uk
research
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/research/nature-how-connecting-natur…
Cleanliness, such as the absence of litter, in natural spaces is also a factor in how much our mental health benefits from spending time outside. Cleaner nature areas are linked to lower rates of depression.
## Nature is everywhere, but high quality nature isn’t available equally [...] ## People with good nature connectedness tend to be happier
Research shows that people who are more connected with nature are usually happier in life and more likely to report feeling their lives are worthwhile. Nature can generate many positive emotions, such as calmness, joy, and creativity and can facilitate concentration.
Nature connectedness is linked to better mental health, particularly lower depression and anxiety. [...] Spending time in nature is good for us for lots of reasons. “Fresh air and exercise” have long been recommended as a way for many to feel better, physically and mentally.
Now evidence shows us that the quality of our relationship with nature is part of the reason for its positive impact on our wellbeing. Researchers use the term “connectedness” to describe the ideal relationship.