Can nature help reduce anxiety?

There is overwhelming evidence from hundreds of international studies that connecting with nature can help improve mental health, reduce stress and boost the immune response. Many of these studies have been replicated in different settings with different control groups and they all agree that being in nature is good for our mood and general wellbeing.

In a recent study in London with participants who were specially chosen due to their scepticism about the benefits of mindful walking in nature the results were compelling. Researchers found a 39% overall reduction in anxiety, 51% reduction in rumination and 40% reduction in anxiety after 1 hour of slow guided mindful activities.

So there’s really nothing to argue with – spending time walking slowly and mindfully connecting with nature really does help you feel less stressed and more rested.

If that’s convincing but you’re not sure where to start, check out Nature Fix for advice and tips about how connect mindfully with nature, including a monthly guided meditation recorded in the woods.