Nature - The key to health and happiness?

A new poll from The Wildlife Trusts found that nearly half of UK adults surveyed spent just 3 hours or less outdoors a week. With so many people experiencing poor physical and mental health it’s sad that so many of us are missing out on the numerous benefits that nature can offer.

Nature has a calming effect that helps lower cortisol levels, blood pressure, feelings of anxiety and stress and improves sleep. Spending time outdoors in nature increases happiness and is associated with lower circulating levels of inflammation in the body, as positive emotions, especially the feeling of awe we can experience when touched by the beauty of nature can help to lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines.