Time Spent Outside Reduces Stress | Park Pulse | National Recreation and Park Association (2024)

FAQs

How does spending time outdoors reduce stress? ›

Studies have also shown that being in nature has a positive effect on our bodies by reducing cortisol levels, muscle tension, and demands on our cardiovascular systems (lowers heart rate and blood pressure).

“Parks deliver cardiovascular benefits, fight loneliness, combat osteoporosis, counter stress and anxiety, and more. And they do those things without adverse side effects and at minimal cost.”

A third of all U.S. adults spend more than an hour a day outside. Gen X (39 percent) are more likely than adults overall (33 percent) to spend more than an hour outdoors daily. Gen Z (9 percent) are more likely than adults overall (4 percent) to not go outside during the day.

How long should you spend outdoors daily for health and well-being? For health and well-being we should spend at least one hour outdoors daily . We can divide this time in various activities like yoga , exercise ,some sorts ,swimming, cycling.

Stress is relieved within minutes of exposure to nature as measured by muscle tension, blood pressure, and brain activity. Time in green spaces significantly reduces your cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Nature also boosts endorphin levels and dopamine production, which promotes happiness.

Nature's Brain-Changing Effects

Time spent outdoors can change our neurochemistry. For example, studies show that exposure to green spaces releases serotonin, the same neurotransmitter present in the most common antidepressant medications.

People who spend more time in nature enjoy enhanced cognitive functioning and attention and reduced stress. They are also less likely to display anxiety disorders and depression and more likely to report high levels of happiness and well-being.

Parks promote positive mental health by providing access to nature and encouraging recreational and sporting activity. Parks and recreation counters social isolation by connecting people with nature and each other through festivals, parades, social events, performing arts, tours and other programming.

The open space, green grass, trees, and other natural features may improve mood, reduce stress, or increase feelings of overall relaxation. One of the most obvious benefits parks and outdoor spaces offers is a place for people to engage in regular exercise.

Almost half of the survey's respondents, including 61% of millennials and 58% of Gen Z, said they feel nervous about requesting time off. Feeling pressure to always respond to work inquiries and guilt about leaving leftover work to colleagues were some of the biggest reasons why.

What are Gen Z's favorite outdoor activities? ›

But as for their top choice, well over half (57%) of Gen Z say they enjoy swimming and just about half say they also enjoy going to the beach. These are Millennials' top choices as well, though the older gen is then more likely to enjoy activities like hiking and camping.

A habit of trying new activities

While Gen Z is the most adventurous generation, the research shows that they are also the most safety-conscious. Sixty-nine per cent of the younger generation report that they would like to try more adventurous outdoor activities but are conscious of safety.

Rachel Hopman, is being widely applied in various wellness literature: The 20-5-3 Rule. The basics: We can improve our mental health by spending 20 minutes outside each day, five hours in a natural setting each month, and three days in a more wild, off-grid setting each year.

Rachel Hopman's, a neuroscientist at Northeastern University, new 20-5-3 rule for spending time outside. Generally, it is 20 minutes outside for three days a week. 5 hours each month you should spend in nature. 3 days you should spend off the grid each year.

If you don't get outside enough, you may experience lower levels of vitamin D, which can lead to low bone density. You also may feel down or antsy, or perhaps may not sleep well. You might feel tired, groggy or have low energy. Sunlight and fresh air help us with all of these issues.

Multiple studies have shown that spending time in nature can significantly improve mental health. The sights, sounds, and smells of the natural environment have a calming effect on our minds, reducing stress and anxiety.

Walking helps boost your mood because it increases blood flow and blood circulation to the brain and body. It has a positive influence on your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is your central nervous response system. This is good because the HPA axis is responsible for your stress response.

Exercise and other physical activity produce endorphins—chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers—and also improve the ability to sleep, which in turn reduces stress. Meditation, acupuncture, massage therapy, even breathing deeply can cause your body to produce endorphins.

Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.