Well, I’m here to remind you about the countless studies pointing to the benefits of nature and the damaging effects of urban life and screen time. As I propose in my book Your Brain On Nature, we’d all be better off getting outdoors for the sake of our health. For starters, it seems to be a buffer that helps people cope better with life’s stressors2. By reducing chronic stress, it can contribute to better health overall. Studies out of Japan3 have also found that invisible chemicals (called phytoncides) in some trees can reduce stress hormones, lower anxiety, and improve blood pressure and immunity. As you know, being also outdoors also provides you with the benefits of natural sunlight: much-needed vitamin D and a stabilization of melatonin levels, which can be offset when you spend a lot of time with the screen. And remember: Green space can include neighborhood parks, gardens, or even just grassy areas, so you don’t have to drive or fly to a forest or mountaintop to reap these healthy benefits.
