Is time spent in nature good for mental health?

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1. 1

   A systematic review of evidence for the added benefits to health of exposure to natural environments

   BMC Public Health (Bowler et al.)Published Aug 4, 2010Checked Sep 30, 2026

   “Twenty-five studies met the review inclusion criteria. Most of these studies were crossover or controlled trials that investigated the effects of short-term exposure to each environment during a walk or run. This included 'natural' environments, such as public parks and green university campuses, and synthetic environments, such as indoor and outdoor built environments. The most common outcome measures were scores of different self-reported emotions. Based on these data, a meta-analysis provided some evidence of a positive benefit of a walk or run in a natural environment in comparison to a synthetic environment. There was also some support for greater attention after exposure to a natural environment but not after adjusting effect sizes for pretest differences. Meta-analysis of data on blood pressure and cortisol concentrations found less evidence of a consistent difference between environments across studies. Overall, the studies are suggestive that natural environments may have direct and positive impacts on well-being, but support the need for investment in further research on this question to understand the general significance for public health.”

2. 2

   The health benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes

   Environmental Research (Twohig-Bennett & Jones)Published Jul 5, 2018Checked Sep 30, 2026

   “We included 103 observational and 40 interventional studies investigating ~100 health outcomes. Meta-analysis results showed increased greenspace exposure was associated with decreased salivary cortisol -0.05 (95% CI -0.07, -0.04), heart rate -2.57 (95% CI -4.30, -0.83), diastolic blood pressure -1.97 (95% CI -3.45, -0.19), HDL cholesterol -0.03 (95% CI -0.05, <-0.01), low frequency heart rate variability (HRV) -0.06 (95% CI -0.08, -0.03) and increased high frequency HRV 91.87 (95% CI 50.92, 132.82), as well as decreased risk of preterm birth 0.87 (95% CI 0.80, 0.94), type II diabetes 0.72 (95% CI 0.61, 0.85), all-cause mortality 0.69 (95% CI 0.55, 0.87), small size for gestational age 0.81 (95% CI 0.76, 0.86), cardiovascular mortality 0.84 (95% CI 0.76, 0.93), and an increased incidence of good… Greenspace exposure is associated with numerous health benefits in intervention and observational studies. These results are indicative of a beneficial influence of greenspace on a wide range of health outcomes. However several meta-analyses results are limited by poor study quality and high levels of heterogeneity. Green prescriptions involving greenspace use may have substantial benefits.”

3. 3

   Urban Green Space and Its Impact on Human Health

   International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Kondo et al.)Published Mar 3, 2018Checked Sep 30, 2026

   “We found consistent negative association between urban green space exposure and mortality, heart rate, and violence, and positive association with attention, mood, and physical activity. Results were mixed, or no association was found, in studies of urban green space exposure and general health, weight status, depression, and stress (via cortisol concentration). The number of studies was too low to generalize about birth outcomes, blood pressure, heart rate variability, cancer, diabetes, or respiratory symptoms. More studies using rigorous study design are needed to make generalizations, and meta-analyses, of these and other health outcomes possible. These findings may assist urban managers, organizations, and communities in their efforts to increase new or preserve existing green space.”

4. 4

   Effects of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy on Mental Health: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

   International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction (Kotera et al.)Published Jul 28, 2020Checked Sep 30, 2026

   “Shinrin-yoku, immersing oneself in nature using one’s senses, has been receiving increased attention internationally. While most of the existing studies have focused on physical health, this systematic review and meta-analysis examined the mental health impacts of shinrin-yoku, using the PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO registry: BLINDED). Of 497 articles retrieved on databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Science Direct and Google Scholar, twenty met the inclusion criteria. All studies were conducted in Asia and Europe, and used a variety of different bathing approaches (e.g. breathing, walking, yoga). While noting a need for more rigorous research and extensive follow-up assessments, the findings indicate that shinrin-yoku can be effective in reducing mental health symptoms in the short term, particularly anxiety. More careful examination of shinrin-yoku practices is needed; longer follow-up with participants from a range of countries along with greater examination of potential mechanisms is needed for shinrin-yoku to be accepted into mainstream interventions.”

5. 5

   Association of Urban Green Space With Mental Health and General Health Among Adults in Australia

   JAMA Network Open (Astell‐Burt & Feng)Published Jul 26, 2019Checked Sep 30, 2026

   “This study included 46 786 participants (mean [SD] age, 61.0 [10.2] years; 25 171 [53.8%] female). At baseline, 5.1% of 37 775 reported a high risk of psychological distress, 16.0% of 46 786 reported depression or anxiety, and 9.0% of 45 577 reported fair to poor self-rated health. An additional 3.3% of 32 991 experienced psychological distress incidence, 7.5% of 39 277 experienced depression or anxiety incidence, and 7.3% of 40 741 experienced fair to poor self-rated health incidence by follow-up (mean [SD] of 6.2 [1.62] years later). Odds ratios (ORs) adjusted for age, sex, income, economic status, couple status, and educational level indicated that exposures of 30% or more total green space (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.29-0.69) and tree canopy specifically (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.54-0.88) were associated with lower incidence of psychological distress. Exposure to tree canopy of 30% or more, compared with 0% to 9%, was also associated with lower incidence of fair to poor general health (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.57-0.80).”

6. 6

   Life Course Nature Exposure and Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Future Directions

   International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Li et al.)Published May 12, 2021Checked Sep 30, 2026

   “Following the PRISMA framework, we searched six databases (i.e., Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL); conducted identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion analyses; and identified a final set of 29 articles. The review set comprises primarily longitudinal studies, with several cross-sectional studies using retrospective measures of childhood nature exposure. The majority of included studies were published between 2016 and 2020 and conducted in Europe and North America. Five domains of mental health outcomes are associated with early-life nature exposure: incidence of mental disorders, psychiatric symptoms and emotions, conduct problems in children, cognitive function, and subjective well-being. The evidence lends support to an overall beneficial role of early nature exposure on mental health, although inconsistencies are reported. Taken together, the evidence does not suggest that exposure at any given life stage is more saliently associated with mental health outcomes than at others. We discuss the validity concerns and methodological remedies and offer directions for future research.”

7. 7

   Validating the Effectiveness of Forest Therapy Programs for Middle-Aged Korean Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analytic Approach.

   Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) (Lee et al.)Published Jun 3, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

   “The primary three-level RVE model, applied to 24 controlled Korean studies, yielded a pooled Hedges' g = 0.596 (95% CI: 0.432-0.760); a supplementary standard random-effects model yielded g = 0.542 (95% CI: 0.420-0.664). Substantial heterogeneity and potential publication bias were observed; overall evidence certainty was rated Low (GRADE). These findings provide preliminary, low-certainty evidence (overall GRADE: Low) that forest therapy may benefit middle-aged Korean women. They do not justify broad clinical or policy adoption at present. High-quality, independently conducted international RCTs and standardized trials outside Korea are required to confirm and generalize these findings.”

8. 8

   Effectiveness of portable digital nature experience on mental health: A three-level meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

   Clinical psychology review (Zhou et al.)Published May 14, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

   “In terms of reducing stress, the green space intervention was significantly more effective than the mixed landscape intervention (p = .008). Regarding anxiety, the auditory condition yielded significantly better results than the multisensory (p = .021) and visual (p = .011) conditions. Similarly, for depression, the auditory condition was significantly more effective than the visual condition (p = .016), and the Active Control Group demonstrated superior outcomes compared to the Treatment As Usual Control Group (p = .028). No significant differences were found in sample characteristics (sex composition, age distribution, clinical status), intervention content (duration of intervention), or study characteristics (research context, measurement indicator, and measurement time). This study demonstrates that PDNE can be effective in alleviating mental health problems and has the potential for large-scale replication. In scenarios where nature experience is constrained, it is hoped that the benefits of PDNE will advance social equity.”

9. 9

   Effects of green exercise on mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

   Frontiers in psychology (Liu et al.)Published Apr 14, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

   “Compared to non-exercise, green exercise significantly improved well-being (SMD = 0.46), positive affect (SMD = [1.18, 1.83]), and reduced negative affect (SMD = [-0.34, -3.38]). Compared to indoor exercise, it significantly improved well-being (SMD = 0.65), positive affect (SMD = [0.68, 1.20]), and slightly reduced negative affect (SMD = [-0.31, -1.38]). Compared to built-up exercise, it significantly improved well-being (SMD = 0.22), had a large effect on positive affect (SMD = [0.59, 1.01]), and slightly reduced negative affect (SMD = [-0.21, -0.57]).ConclusionGreen exercise significantly improves mental well-being, with superior effects on positive affect and reduction of negative affect compared to indoor exercise, built-up exercise, and non-exercise. Future research should explore the long-term effects of green exercise and identify optimal conditions for maximizing its mental health benefits.Syestematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251235047, Registration ID (Unique Identifier): CRD420251235047.”

10. 10

    Effectiveness of nature therapies for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis.

    Complementary therapies in medicine (van et al.)Published Sep 1, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

    “BackgroundThe global prevalence of mental health disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has increased substantially; engagement with nature has been shown to support recovery. This systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis examined the application and effectiveness of nature therapies in the treatment of PTSD for the clinical adult population.MethodsIn this review, 11 studies were included following a systematic process using the PRISMA framework, encompassing a total sample of 654 participants. A exploratory meta-analysis was conducted based on six of these studies.ResultsMost studies showed a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms after participation in nature therapy. The exploratory meta-analysis indicated a large effect size for pre- to post-intervention outcomes (Cohen's d = -0.82 [-1.14, -0.50] (k = 3), p DiscussionHowever, these estimates are based on a small number of studies, and the exploratory nature of the analysis warrants cautious interpretation. Overall, the findings suggest that nature therapy may offer beneficial effects as a complementary approach in the treatment of PTSD.”