Why is spending time in nature important?

Spending time in nature supports mental and physical health—and can benefit performance—through a mix of effects that are difficult to reduce to any single factor. 1

• Sunlight, fresh air, landscapes, and sounds: Outdoor light can improve daytime mood, focus, and alertness and support nighttime sleep. Nature also brings together fresh air, natural colors and scenery, and sounds such as streams; safe green settings can gently draw attention away from persistent worries and help restore attentional resources. 2 3 4
• Wildlife, delight, and wonder: Unexpected encounters with animals can be delightful, while the awe people may feel in natural settings can broaden perspective. 5 6
• A practical amount of time: Spending 10–30 minutes outdoors, 3–7 days a week has been associated with reductions in blood pressure and resting heart rate, and improvements in sleep and mood. 7
• A distinctive experience: Nature combines many elements—including changing sights and colors, sounds, smells, sunlight, and surprises. Because these factors interact, recreating nature in a controlled lab setting can miss the experience’s broader effects. 8 9

Taken together, these benefits make getting outdoors a useful way to support well-being. 10