What city dwellers can benefit from daily: Study

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Time spent in the great outdoors can be the best medicine, helping enhance physical and mental health.

City dwellers can benefit from some greenspace time, too. New research from Stanford and Leiden University in the Netherlands reports that city folk can benefit from 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), per the New York Post.

“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 added. “This analysis helps fill that gap.”

Her team analyzed data from 78 field-based studies involving nearly 5,900 participants and 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.”

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New York City, as one example, is home to more than 7 million trees for its 8.5 million residents and the goal is to increase the city’s canopy cover from 22% to 30% by 2035.

The Stanford study results suggest that simply being outside is good enough for a boost, and no exercise is required. Simply being 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 appeared to benefit the most. The study authors noted that many mental health conditions develop before the age of 25.

The findings were published in the journal Nature Cities.

Researchers emphasized that major parks aren’t required.

“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.”

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