Just dew it!<\/p>\n
Spending time outdoors<\/a> has long been shown to enhance physical and mental well-being by encouraging exercise, fostering social interaction, reducing stress and anxiety, elevating mood, improving focus and even promoting better sleep.<\/p>\n Exposure to daylight<\/a> \u2014 especially in the morning \u2014 helps synchronize our internal clocks, making it easier to fall asleep at night and wake up in the morning.<\/p>\n Urbanites can benefit from just 15 minutes in nature, a new study finds. asife \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n Basking in the sun also helps the body produce vitamin D<\/a>, a nutrient essential for strong bones, a healthy immune system and positive mental health.<\/p>\n Now, new research from Stanford<\/a> and Leiden University in the Netherlands reports that city dwellers can benefit from just 15 minutes in nature.<\/p>\n \u201cPrevious studies have documented strong links between contact with nature and mental health,\u201d said senior study author Anne Guerry, chief strategy officer and lead scientist at Stanford\u2019s Natural Capital Project (NatCap).<\/p>\n \u201cBut with most studies, you either can\u2019t infer a\u00a0causal link, they can\u2019t be easily generalized, or they aren\u2019t designed to distinguish the effects of different types of nature,\u201d she continued. \u201cThis analysis helps fill that gap.\u201d<\/p>\n Guerry\u2019s team crunched data from 78 field-based studies involving nearly 5,900 participants.<\/p>\n This graphic from the research shows where the studies were conducted and how nature improved mental health. Nature Cities<\/p>\n They determined that all types of urban nature uplifted spirits \u2014 urban forests<\/a> were especially helpful for easing depression and anxiety.<\/p>\n \u201cOur 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,\u201d Guerry told The Post.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is not to say that street trees have no effect!\u201d she added. \u201cIn fact, our analysis shows that street trees have a significant effect on all measured aspects of mental health.\u201d<\/p>\n For its part, NYC is home to over 7 million trees<\/a> for its 8.48 million residents. The goal is to increase the city\u2019s canopy cover from 22% to 30% by 2035.<\/p>\n When the city\u2019s Urban Forest Plan officially launched last year, Mayor Eric Adams noted that<\/a> trees freshen the air, cool neighborhoods, beautify streets and parks, soak up stormwater and even boost mental health.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t have to exercise to get a boost from being outside. Simply relaxing in green spaces elevates energy and alertness. simona \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n The Stanford research suggests that just being outside is good enough for a pick-me-up \u2014 no exercise equipment needed. Simply relaxing in green spaces heightens energy and alertness.<\/p>\n \u201cOur results show that even brief contact (less than 15 minutes) with nature can provide significant mental benefits,\u201d Leiden researcher Roy Remme said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s more, longer nature exposure (more than 45 minutes) is linked to even greater reductions in stress and boosts in vitality.\u201d<\/p>\n Young adults seemed to reap the most benefits, with the study authors pointing out that many mental health conditions develop before the age of 25.<\/p>\n