New study says nature is good for us - 5 ways to get outdoors today
New study says 90-minute stroll in nature will help reduce negative thoughts.
If you’re one of many currently living in a city, and the concrete jungle is becoming too much, fear not - there’s some good news for you. A new study published in the US has discovered a brief walk in nature could be all it takes to help chase away negative thoughts.
In the study, published in the National Academy of Sciences, a group of 38 people from Northern California were split into two groups – one group spent 90 minutes walking in nature and the other did the same but through a city landscape. The nature walkers reported having fewer negative thoughts about themselves after the walk than before the walk, while the city strollers reported no change in their state.
It’s reported that nearly half the world’s population live in urban areas, and at this rate it’s predicted that nearly 70% of people will live in cities by the year 2050.
With that in mind, here are our top 5 tips for getting out and about amongst nature in and around your city:
1. Seek out your nearest park
Yes we know it’s an obvious one, but knowing where your heading will make it ten times easier to plan in an evening stroll or dawn dawdle around your nearest patch of green. Don’t forget to Google the name of your local park and take a look at any local activities or clubs that you might be able to join!
2. Use your lunch break
We could all do with a break from a screen each day so try and get out from the desk and out in the open air where you’ll actually be able to see a tree (hopefully). The fresh air will do your energy levels the world of good, even more so if you head straight for your nearest city park.
3. Plan to get away on the weekend
Whether you drive 15 minutes out of the city or take a train to the coast, a break from those city lights could do you a lot of good. Plus it gives you something really exciting to look forward to all week. For the ultimate nature experience, consider camping, cooking outdoors and staring at the stars for a perspective-altering amount of time.
4. Organise a picnic
When the UK gives you a heatwave, make lemonade. Make lemonade and take it on a picnic with your nearest and dearest. Take a bat and ball and re-learn the rules of French cricket for the ultimate dose of summer sport. Just remember to take sunscreen!
5. Fire up the barbecue
Ok so this last one doesn’t involve too much walking but we figured you’re at least eating outdoors. Plus after eating seven burgers you might just feel compelled to take a stroll outside as the perfect calorie burner!