Benefits of Nature Exposure

There are many benefits to spending time in nature. Existing research reveals that as little as 5-10 minutes in nature can have important impacts on wellbeing. This can be as simple as going on a walk outside or sitting by a river!

Here are just a few of the many benefits of nature exposure:

• Reduced stress and improved concentration
• Feelings of happiness
• Lower heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels
• Improved creativity
• Improved cognitive performance
• And more!

Research: Suggested Readings 

Mason, L., Ronconi, A., Scrimin, S., & Pazzaglia, F. (2021). Short-term exposure to nature and benefits for students’ cognitive performance: A review. Educational Psychology Review, 34(2), 609–647. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-021-09631-8

Oppezzo, M., & Schwartz, D. L. (2014). Give your ideas some legs: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 40(4), 1142–1152. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036577

Passmore, HA, & Holder, M.D. (2017). Noticing nature: Individual and social benefits of a two-week intervention.  The Journal of Positive Psychology, 12 (6), 537-546, DOI10.1080/17439760.2016.1221126

Rakow, D. A., & Eells, G. T. (2019). Nature RX: Improving college-student mental health. Cornell University Press. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7591/j.ctvfc544p