Mental Health Benefits of Nature

According to the 2016 Nielsen Total Audience Report, the average American spends more than 10 hours a day looking at screens whether that be a phone or computer. Sadly, this means that we are spending less time outdoors although there is a profound amount of evidence supporting the numerous benefits of being outside on a consistent basis. Dr. Lisa Nisbet studies connectedness to nature at Trent University in Ontario, Canada explains that research shows nature has benefits for both physical and psychological well being. The biophilia hypothesis argues that because our ancestors evolved overtime in wild settings while relying on the environment to survive, we have an innate drive to be connected with nature. 

Some of the more known benefits of being in nature include feeling happier, improving your supply of vitamin D, and strengthening your immune system. Studies continue to show that it doesn’t stop there, multiple studies have linked taking walks in nature to improved mental health, specifically depression. One study shows that 70-year-old participants who spent time outside daily had less complaints of common aging pains such as aching bones or an inability to sleep compared to those who do not spend time outside daily. Additionally, spending time outdoors lowers your heart rate which in return helps lower your levels of stress. Not only does spending time in nature lower stress, it also improves memory and concentration. The University of Michigan found that participants who took a memory test followed by walking in nature did 20% better than those who took the test but walked around the city after. 

Source: American Psychological Association, SelectHealth