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15 Minutes in Nature a Day Proven to Improve Mental Well-Being
6 Aug
Summary
- Spending as little as 15 minutes in nature boosts mental health
- Stationary time in nature more effective than active time
- Urban forests best for reducing depression and anxiety
According to a study published in July 2025, spending as little as 15 minutes a day in nature can provide a substantial boost to the mental health of city-dwellers. The research, conducted by a team at Stanford University in California, found "significant benefits" of even short-term exposure to natural environments for a wide range of mental health conditions.
The study analyzed data from close to 5,900 participants and revealed that people did not need to be physically active to experience these mental health improvements. In fact, the researchers discovered that stationary time in green spaces was more effective at reducing negative outcomes like depression than active time in nature. Urban forests, in particular, were found to be the best for alleviating depression and anxiety.
The researchers noted that young adults saw even greater benefits than the general population, which they deemed "important" as most mental health disorders emerge before the age of 25. The team hopes to work with urban planners to incorporate more green spaces into cities, as they believe this could help prevent mental health disorders and lower healthcare costs.
