A new study has found that nature-based outdoor activities can be effective in improving mental health in adults, including those with pre-existing mental health problems.SSM – Population Health“.
The research, led by the University of York, USA, showed that participating in outdoor nature-based activities improved mood, reduced anxiety and positive emotions, and the study found that activities lasting from 20 to 90 minutes, and lasting over 8 to 12 weeks, had the most positive results. To improve mood and reduce anxiety.
Gardening and exercise were among the activities associated with health benefits, supporting nature-based interventions (NBIsPeople to interact with nature in a structured way to improve mental health As part of the study, researchers examined 14,321 records NBI They analyzed 50 studies.
Lead author of the study, Dr Peter Coventry from the Department of Health Sciences, said: “We’ve known for some time that being in nature is good for health and well-being, but our study reinforces the growing evidence that doing things in nature is associated with significant mental health gains.”
“While doing these activities alone is effective, among the studies we reviewed it appears that doing them in groups led to greater mental health gains,” Dr. Coventry added.
The study found that there was less evidence that outdoor activities improved physical health. The research suggested that more appropriate ways were needed to measure the short- and long-term impact of nature-based activities on physical health.
Dr Coventry added: “One of the main ideas that may explain why nature-based activities are beneficial to us is that they help us connect us to nature in meaningful ways that go beyond a negative view of nature.”
