Can Nature Improve Your Health?

Exposure to Nature and Mental Health

Can exposure to nature – say, a walk in a natural setting – be good for mental health? A growing body of research indicates that the answer is yes. Exposure to nature may improve mood, reduce anxiety, and improve cognitive function. For example, in one study, people who took a walk in a park reported more positive moods and less anxiety than those who walked for the same length of time on busy streets. The people who walked in the park also scored better on a difficult mental test. In a talk in NCCIH’s Integrative Medicine Research Lecture Series, Dr. Gregory Bratman of the University of Washington discussed the research on nature and mental health and its practical implications – for example, for urban planning and school design. You can watch the lecture on NIH Videocast. Watch the lecture