How Does Exposure to Nature Affect Health and Longevity?

The short answer

Living near green spaces is associated with a 12% lower all-cause mortality risk, lower blood pressure, reduced cortisol, improved mental health, and higher physical activity levels. Spending at least 120 minutes per week in nature is associated with significantly better health and wellbeing. The benefits are mediated through multiple pathways: stress reduction, physical activity, air quality, and social interaction.

What the evidence actually shows

A 2018 meta-analysis by Twohig-Bennett & Jones in Environmental Research, pooling 103 observational studies, found that living near green spaces was associated with significantly lower risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, and stress, as well as higher sleep duration and physical activity. Park et al. (2010) demonstrated that 'forest bathing' (shinrin-yoku) — spending time in forested environments — significantly reduced cortisol, blood pressure, heart rate, and sympathetic nervous system activity compared to urban environments. White et al. (2019) in Scientific Reports, using data from 19,806 adults, found that spending ≥120 minutes per week in nature was associated with significantly better health and wellbeing, with no additional benefit beyond 300 minutes.

"Spending at least 120 minutes per week in nature was associated with significantly better health and wellbeing across all age groups."

— White et al., Scientific Reports 2019

What the major health authorities say

The NIA recommends spending time outdoors as a component of healthy ageing, noting the benefits for physical activity, mood, and vitamin D synthesis. MedlinePlus identifies stress management and physical activity as key components of healthy ageing, both of which are facilitated by nature exposure. The WHO has recognised green spaces as an important determinant of urban health.

Practical implications

The evidence-based target is 120 minutes per week in natural environments — achievable through two 60-minute walks in a park, forest, or coastal area. The type of natural environment matters less than the duration of exposure. Even urban parks and tree-lined streets provide meaningful benefits compared to built environments. For those without easy access to nature, even brief exposures (10–15 minutes in a park during a lunch break) provide measurable stress reduction. Gardening provides similar benefits to passive nature exposure and has the added advantage of physical activity and social connection.

Where reasonable people still disagree

• Whether the health benefits of nature exposure are primarily attributable to stress reduction, physical activity, air quality, or social interaction — and whether these can be replicated in urban environments.
• Whether virtual nature (nature videos, sounds) provides meaningful psychological benefits for those without access to real natural environments.
• The relative benefits of different types of natural environments (forests, coastal areas, urban parks) for different health outcomes.