INTO THE WOODS –
June 4, 2026 – Decades of research suggests there are many positive mental and physical health effects of spending time outdoors, from boosting mood to improving blood pressure. Contact with the natural world seems to be linked to higher levels of life satisfaction.
Spending time in or near nature has many potential benefits. A 2021 review found that being in nature (especially while engaging in physical activity) is linked to improved cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure and reduced risk factors for chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes.
A growing body of research suggests nature is associated with reduced feelings of stress, anxiety and sadness, plus an increased sense of purpose and overall well-being, according to Gregory Bratman, an associate professor of environmental and forest sciences at the University of Washington. (But exactly why is “still an open question,” Bratman said.)
