Subscribe now

Life

The science of why spending time in nature is just so good for us

Getting outside to garden or walk in a park is good for your body – it’s exercise and you can get some vitamin D from the sun – but it’s also important for your self-esteem and mood

By Penny Sarchet

20 December 2023

A few minutes in nature can do you a world of good

ALEX_UGALEK/Shutterstock

The following is an extract from our nature newsletter Wild Wild Life. Sign up to receive it for free in your inbox every month.

I always find that in December it’s hard to resist reflecting on the past 12 months and setting goals and hopes for the year ahead. For me, 2023 was a year to step back from leisure time in nature, to focus instead on welcoming a new member of my family. It’s the second time in recent years that I’ve been unable to…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Unlock this article

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 15 January 2025.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account

More from New Scientist

Explore the latest news, articles and features

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

1

DNA analysis rewrites the stories of people buried in Pompeii

2

The complete guide to cooking oils and how they affect your health

3

Tom Gauld on getting things to work - or not

4

Knots made in a weird quantum fluid can last forever

5

Conspiracy theorists are turning their attention back to HPV vaccines

6

Chinese rover finds further evidence for an ancient ocean on Mars

7

Before the Stone Age: Were the first tools made from plants not rocks?

8

Could seaweed be the ultimate carbon capture solution?

9

Striking image shows well-preserved wreck of Shackleton’s doomed ship

10

Carbon emissions from private jets have exploded in recent years