Just dew it!
Spending time outdoors has long been shown to enhance physical and mental well-being by encouraging exercise, fostering social interaction, reducing stress and anxiety, elevating mood, improving focus and even promoting better sleep.
Exposure to daylight — especially in the morning — helps synchronize our internal clocks, making it easier to fall asleep at night and wake up in the morning.
Basking in the sun also helps the body produce vitamin D, a nutrient essential for strong bones, a healthy immune system and positive mental health.
Now, new research from Stanford and Leiden University in the Netherlands reports that city dwellers can benefit from just 15 minutes in nature.
“Previous studies have documented strong links between contact with nature and mental health,” said senior study author Anne Guerry, chief strategy officer and lead scientist at Stanford’s Natural Capital Project (NatCap).
“But with most studies, you either can’t infer a causal link, they can’t be easily generalized, or they aren’t designed to distinguish the effects of different types of nature,” she continued. “This analysis helps fill that gap.”
Guerry’s team crunched data from 78 field-based studies involving nearly 5,900 participants.
They determined that all types of urban nature uplifted spirits — urban forests were especially helpful for easing depression and anxiety.
“Our analysis suggests that urban forests and parks have a more significant impact on mental health (i.e. reducing negative aspects and enhancing positive ones) than street trees or grassy areas,” Guerry told The Post.
“That is not to say that street trees have no effect!” she added. “In fact, our analysis shows that street trees have a significant effect on all measured aspects of mental health.”
For its part, NYC is home to over 7 million trees for its 8.48 million residents. The goal is to increase the city’s canopy cover from 22% to 30% by 2035.
When the city’s Urban Forest Plan officially launched last year, Mayor Eric Adams noted that trees freshen the air, cool neighborhoods, beautify streets and parks, soak up stormwater and even boost mental health.
The Stanford research suggests that just being outside is good enough for a pick-me-up — no exercise equipment needed. Simply relaxing in green spaces heightens energy and alertness.
“Our results show that even brief contact (less than 15 minutes) with nature can provide significant mental benefits,” Leiden researcher Roy Remme said.
“What’s more, longer nature exposure (more than 45 minutes) is linked to even greater reductions in stress and boosts in vitality.”
Young adults seemed to reap the most benefits, with the study authors pointing out that many mental health conditions develop before the age of 25.
The findings were published Wednesday in the journal Nature Cities.
The researchers emphasized that you don’t need major parks to get the job done.
They encouraged city planners and policymakers to explore adding smaller “pocket parks,” more street trees and greenery, nature-filled spots and guided park meditations.
Luckily, as of December, 84% of New Yorkers live within walking distance of a park, according to NYC Parks. The target is 85% by 2030.
“Even small moments with nature can make a difference,” said lead study author Yingjie Li, a postdoctoral scholar at NatCap. “This work has helped me see that urban nature isn’t just good for cities — it’s good for us.”
