I read an interesting study that took place in 2020. Mathew White of the European Centre for Environment and Human Health at the University of Exeter found that people who spent two hours a week in green spaces/natural environments were more likely to report good health and psychological well-being than those who don't. The two hours can be spent in one visit or spaced out over a few visits but two hours was the magic number. People that didn't meet the two hour threshold showed no benefits.

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The study was comprehensive. It included participants from different occupations, ethnic groups, ages, people from both rich and poor areas, and people with chronic illnesses and disabilities.

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“It’s well-known that getting outdoors in nature can be good for people’s health and well-being, but until now we’ve not been able to say how much is enough,” White said. “Two hours a week is hopefully a realistic target for many people, especially given that it can be spread over an entire week to get the benefit.”

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The study by White and his colleagues is an expanding area of research that finds nature has robust effects on people’s health — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The studies “point in one direction: Nature is not only nice to have, but it’s a have-to-have for physical health and cognitive function.”

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Please be sure to get your weekly dose of nature. Take some pics and share them with your fellow Enchanted Nature community members.