Understanding the Health Benefits of Nature

Promoting outdoor activities is not a new concept, but in the last two decades, we have accumulated scientific evidence to support it. Numerous studies demonstrate the positive effects of spending time outdoors on our physical and mental health. Innovations such as landscape therapy, forest therapy, and the concept of “blue mind” are expanding our appreciation for nature's benefits.

Moreover, we know that exercising outdoors can lead to enhanced fitness outcomes. Time spent in nature has been shown to lower the risks of obesity, hypertension, stress, and depression. It fosters deeper connections with others and the natural world, heightens feelings of awe, reduces materialistic tendencies, and encourages spiritual growth.

Nudges Towards Healthier Habits

Many of us recall our childhood days when parents encouraged us to “go play outside,” only to call us back indoors later. The irony is that being outdoors is often what we craved.

This highlights a need for gentle encouragement—nudges—to engage in activities that we inherently enjoy and that benefit our well-being. A nudge is a subtle prompt that guides individuals toward a beneficial action without coercion. For instance, providing comfortable outdoor seating can encourage people to enjoy their meals outside.

So who is responsible for offering these nudges? Health companies, for starters, are already implementing various strategies and should increase their efforts in line with existing research.

Nature as a Fourth Pillar of Health

The Global Wellness Institute suggests that nature is fast becoming the fourth pillar of health, alongside diet, exercise, and sleep. Currently, the U.S. allocates only 3% of its healthcare budget to promoting health. Physical inactivity, as an indicator of insufficient outdoor time, incurs a staggering $117 billion in annual medical expenses. Investing a fraction of this amount in encouraging outdoor activities could lead to healthier populations.

Changes are underway as the healthcare sector shifts towards value-based care, which prioritizes wellness. Spending time in nature aligns with health promotion objectives, motivating companies, employers, and governments to facilitate these nudges.

Countries like Japan and South Korea already reward outdoor time with financial incentives, while U.S. health insurance companies offer credits for physical activity. It seems inevitable that similar incentives for outdoor time will become commonplace. Apps like NatureDose and Awe may soon be integrated into wellness programs to track outdoor activities.

Healthcare organizations are also introducing initiatives like nature prescriptions and the “Walk with a Doc” program, which is available in over 500 communities worldwide. Furthermore, hospitals are beginning to include horticulture therapy and nature exposure in their treatment plans.

Employers stand to gain from promoting outdoor activities as healthier employees translate to increased productivity. Educational institutions can also enhance student performance by increasing outdoor access. Here are some practical nudges that can be implemented:

• Create easily accessible outdoor spaces for work or school.
• Design indoor environments with plants, natural light, and outdoor views.
• Organize meetings and events outside.
• Sponsor health-focused outdoor activities.
• Offer flexible lunch hours and work schedules.
• Introduce “sun days” in winter and “cool days” in summer.
• Provide more vacation time and promote a four-day workweek.
• Advocate for the notion that outdoor time is essential for personal well-being.

Bringing Nature Closer to Urban Populations

With most people living in urban settings, access to nature can be limited. Part of the solution lies in redesigning cities to include more green spaces, an initiative that is gaining traction globally through the biophilic cities movement.

Singapore is a prime example, having transformed into a “city in a garden.” Despite population growth, the city has increased its green space by 10%, now constituting nearly half of its land area. Singapore boasts a comprehensive network of trails connecting parks and green areas, as well as green roofs and vertical gardens.

Cities such as Wellington, Portland, and San Francisco are also embracing this movement. Additionally, the 10-Minute Walk Program aims to ensure that all Americans have a nearby park or green space.

On a smaller scale, companies are redesigning office spaces to be more biophilic, enhancing worker retention and satisfaction.

Access to nature is particularly crucial for economically disadvantaged communities. In the U.S., individuals in low-income areas are three times more likely to experience “nature deprivation,” with 70% lacking access to green spaces. The disparity is even more pronounced among racial groups, with 74% of non-white individuals living in nature-deprived neighborhoods.

Many cities are addressing this issue by offering free park passes and transportation vouchers, while outdoor programs for inner-city youth are essential. Restoring public lands and creating green spaces in underserved areas is also vital.

Reversing the Trend of Indoor Living

The trend of moving indoors has paralleled the growth of Western civilization, creating challenges for reversing this trajectory. A pessimistic outlook suggests that people will continue to live predominantly indoors, diminishing their concern for the environment and exacerbating issues like climate change.

However, societal changes present opportunities for a shift. If advancements in technology lead to reduced working hours, we must consider how we will utilize our newfound leisure time. Will we retreat indoors, or will we embrace outdoor activities, community projects, and creative pursuits?

A Call to Action

We possess the knowledge and tools to foster this shift. By amplifying the new outdoor movement, we can encourage change. We can advocate for necessary modifications in healthcare, workplaces, schools, and governmental policies.

On an individual level, we can challenge the myth that outdoor time is nonessential, emphasizing its critical role in our health. We can also debunk the notion that we lack time for outdoor activities while spending hours on social media.

Focusing on positive trends, such as the surge in outdoor sports participation during the pandemic, can also help shift perceptions.

Connection to nature is not merely a luxury; it is vital for our health, economic prosperity, and overall quality of life.

Taking Action Today

Starting today, let’s seek opportunities to spend more time outdoors. Involve family, friends, and coworkers in outdoor activities. Enjoy meals outside, pursue hobbies, and engage in conversations amidst nature. Equip yourself for outdoor comfort, regardless of weather conditions.

Consider how various aspects of your life—work, social interactions, and activism—can occur outside. Encourage your representatives to embrace the outdoors as well, as they too likely face nature deprivation.

Trust in this journey and stay hopeful. Increased outdoor time can lead to reduced consumerism, heightened spirituality, and improved health, contributing to a more sustainable and peaceful world.

I look forward to seeing you outside!

If you missed it, you may want to read:

Life on the Inside Has Major Downside — And We’re Down with That. An Outdoor Manifesto — Part 1

The New Outdoors Movement What it is, plus a list of essential resources, organizations, and websites