Following the onset of the covid-19 pandemic and the coinciding spike in mental health conditions, researchers and health professionals alike have sought to identify the most effective and efficient ways to positively influence mood and lower psychological distress.
Unsurprisingly, an emerging body of research has shown that participation in outdoor nature-based activities including exercise, gardening, and conservation, has a profound impact on improving mood and reducing anxiety for adults living with mental health problems.
It has been found that activities lasting for 20 to 90 minutes, sustained over the course of an 8 to 12 week period, consistently contribute to positive outcomes on mental health. Additionally, while doing these activities independently is effective, group-based activities facilitate the greatest improvements in mood and anxiety levels.
Although the concept that nature-based activities are good for our health and wellbeing is not novel, recent literature has laid the framework necessary to support its use in clinical settings to assist people living with mental health conditions.
