Challenges
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Quick Win
Building an awareness of the patterns in nature can help give you a sunnier outlook.
Try This Today
- Take stock of when flowers bloom in your yard and which weeds crop up.
- Notice how the sun changes during the day. Which areas of your yard are full sun, part sun or full shade?
- Zoom in on something specific: Watch a group of ants at work, for example. Is there a pattern to their movements?
Why
Spending time in nature — whether it’s bird-watching, hiking, gardening or simply observing — is associated with better physical, mental and cognitive health, according to an analysis of 39 studies published in 2022 in the Journal of Global Health. The specific activity you choose may not matter as much as simply spending time in an outdoor green space. In a study of 50 university students published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2022, both sitting outdoors and walking outdoors resulted in improved cognitive performance, with “no significant difference between groups.”
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