Did you know that spending just two hours a week in nature could make you happier and healthier? It’s true, according to a new study published in Scientific Reports (as reported in this article by CNBC).
Of course, the idea that nature positively affects our well-being is nothing new (in fact, our Wonder Bunch app is inspired by the wonder of nature!), but now we have an idea of the magic amount of time we should try dedicating to the great outdoors each week in order to reap the benefits.
Spending this time in nature can be as easy as taking a 30-minute walk every weekday to the nearest park during your lunch break; or it could be as immersive as setting aside an afternoon every weekend to do a different activity, like biking in an urban green space, hiking through the woods, relaxing at a beach, or having a picnic in your favorite park.
So spending even more time in nature could equal even more happiness, right? Interestingly, the same study showed that the health benefits peaked after about 200-300 minutes in nature, but spending more than five hours per week in nature had no additional benefits.
Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy nature:
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Visiting state and city parks for a picnic or hike
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Floating down a river
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Walking, running, or biking along a trail
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Kayaking or paddle boarding
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Visiting an orchard or vineyard
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Driving through the countryside
- Visiting the dog park
What are your favorite ways to enjoy nature? Where are your go-to spots?
