Pass at least two hours a week in nature can have a significant impact on physical health and mental well-being. Researchers of the University of Exeter They found that spending time on outdoor activities is associated with a better quality of life and greater personal satisfaction. This finding reinforces growing evidence underscoring the importance of regular contact with natural environments.
The study, published in Scientific Reportsanalyzed data from more than 19,000 people and found that those who reached this threshold of 120 minutes per week were more likely to report good health and greater psychological well-being. Furthermore, it was observed that this benefit does not depend on factors such as age or socioeconomic level, suggesting that anyone can benefit from being in nature on a regular basis. Through this analysis, the researchers were able to identify a key threshold: those who passed at least two hours per week in natural environments reported better general health and greater satisfaction with their lives.
The research team stressed that no matter how these were distributed 120 minutes. Both a single long outing and several short visits outdoors throughout the week showed the same positive impact. However, when the total time in contact with nature was less than two hours, participants did not experience the same benefits. This scientific evidence provides a solid basis for recommending regular contact with nature as a simple and accessible practice to improve quality of life.
The results are not the same for people who pass less than two hours per week in nature because, according to the study, there seems to be a minimum threshold from which contact with natural environments begins to generate significant health benefits. This threshold, identified in 120 minutesmarks the point at which people report improvements in both their physical and mental well-being.
The fact that those who spend less time in nature do not experience the same results suggests that the body and mind need a long exposure to activate mechanisms that reduce stress, improve mood and promote greater satisfaction with life. Nature offers a space to disconnect from daily stresses, but these effects require some time to fully manifest. Lesser times they may not be sufficient to achieve the levels of relaxation and restoration necessary to obtain these benefits.
The study found that the benefits do not diminish depending on how outdoor visits are organized. This offers flexibility to adapt activities to different lifestyles, making it easier to build time into the nature in the weekly routine.
This finding reinforces the idea that time in natural environments is not just a recreational activity, but a key factor in maintaining good health. The simple act of being outdoors below the 120 minutes It doesn’t seem like enough to generate the same results, underscoring the importance of making a conscious effort to spend at least two hours a week in nature.
Regular contact with nature Not only does it improve physical health and mental well-being, but it also offers a number of additional benefits that can positively influence various aspects of life. The study highlights that spending time outdoors helps reduce the stressimprove the moodincrease the creativity and strengthen the immune system. These benefits make nature an essential resource for personal well-being.
Additionally, exposure to natural environments has been linked to prevention of mental illness such as depression and anxiety, providing a kind of protective barrier against these conditions. Science has also shown that being in nature reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, contributing to a feeling of calm and relaxation. Together, these findings reinforce the importance of incorporating outdoor time into daily life as a simple and effective way to improve health. quality of life and protect mental health.
In this way, regular contact with the nature for at least two hours a week It is being positioned as a crucial element to maintain good physical and mental health. Scientific evidence indicates that this time spent outdoors can act as a powerful preventive tool against various health problems, from stress to more serious diseases such as depression wave anxiety. In addition to improving mood and reducing stress, being in nature fosters an overall sense of well-being and promotes greater satisfaction with life.
Maintaining this weekly contact with natural environments does not require great efforts or intense activities, which makes it an accessible practice for people of different ages and lifestyles. Either a quiet walk in the park or a hike in the countryside can be enough to reach the goals. 120 minutes recommended and take advantage of the benefits that come from contact with nature. Therefore, it is essential to incorporate time outdoors into the weekly routine as a simple and effective way to take care of our health. health and well-being.