Trend Watch: New Study Quantifies Mental Health Benefits of Urban Nature

A new study published in Nature Cities finds that spending time in urban green spaces delivers powerful mental health benefits. Researchers analysed 78 experimental field studies and 449 peer-reviewed papers to quantify how exposure to different types of urban nature impacts mental health outcomes.

Key findings: Time spent in green urban environments – notably forests and parks – is linked with meaningful reductions in anxiety, stress and low mood, and boosts to positive wellbeing and vitality.

Importantly even short exposures (as little as 15 minutes) yield measurable benefits, while longer engagements (45+ minutes) result in greater gains.

The effects are especially pronounced among young adults, although positive effects were seen across all age groups.

The researchers say the findings highlight the importance of safeguarding and expanding access to urban nature as a key strategy for enhancing public health and wellbeing in cities worldwide.

Read more: Acute mental health benefits of urban nature.

Image: Photo by Ignacio Brosa on Unsplash.