What do scientists say?

“As people spend more time indoors, a mountain of scientific research says spending time in nature is critical to health and increases longevity. That means being in fresh air, under trees and away from cars and concrete—on a regular basis...The benefits have been clear to scientists for some time, but the pandemic has made the matter more urgent. The physical and emotional toll the virus has taken, especially in urban areas with little green space, has galvanized doctors, researchers and others to tap into nature’s therapeutic effects.”
— Betsy Morris “For Better Health During the Pandemic, Is Two Hours Outdoors the New 10,000 Steps.” 2/14/2021 Wall Street Journal

We often think about access to nature as a perk, but we should start thinking of these experiences as “a necessity that we need to maintain and sustain healthy lives,” says Dr. Peter James, an assistant professor at the Harvard Medical School.

A recent review found research that suggested links between 20 health benefits and spending time outdoors, including better sleep, reduced depression, increased social connectedness, improved recovery from surgery, reduced obesity, and better health for cancer survivors.
– Kevin Loria, July 15, 2019 Consumer Reports