As spring blooms across the country, there's no better time to embrace the outdoors and rekindle our connection with nature.

Did you know the average adult spends just 7% of their time (or 86 minutes) outdoors during the work week?

The Easter weekend and longer spring days offer the perfect opportunity to change that statistic.

Research consistently shows that spending time in natural environments, even for short periods, provides substantial benefits for both mental and physical wellbeing. With longer days, milder temperatures, and nature's awakening, spring presents an ideal occasion to establish healthier outdoor habits.

The Power of Just 15 Minutes in Nature

You don't need to commit hours to outdoor activities to experience benefits. Studies indicate that just 15 minutes daily in nature is enough to boost mood, concentration, and physical health.

This is encouraging news for those with busy schedules who struggle to find extended periods for outdoor activities.

During springtime, consider allocating just a quarter of an hour each day to a nature walk. This small commitment can yield significant returns for your wellbeing while remaining manageable within a packed schedule of daily responsibilities and seasonal activities.

Mental Health Benefits of Spring Nature Walks

The connection between nature and improved mood is perhaps the most consistent finding across all nature and health studies. Spring walks in natural settings can:

• Increase positive feelings like happiness and optimism

• Reduce feelings of sadness and anxiety

• Decrease rumination (fixating on negative thoughts)

• Support social connections by providing neutral spaces for meaningful interactions

Research shows that even walking in somewhat green areas – such as tree-lined roads – confers mood benefits. This is particularly relevant for urban dwellers without easy access to woodlands, as even a short walk in a city park can meaningfully impact mental wellbeing.

Improved Concentration

Taking breaks in natural environments can enhance cognitive performance. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that people perform better on attention and memory tasks after viewing natural scenery compared to urban settings.

For families gathering during spring, a collective nature walk could provide a refreshing mental reset. There’s strong evidence that access to green spaces enhances working memory and attention span in children, making outdoor activities during school holidays particularly valuable.

Even short breaks of 10-15 minutes in nature during the working day can improve concentration for office workers. If you're balancing work commitments, consider scheduling brief outdoor breaks to maintain optimal cognitive function.

Physical Health Improvements

The benefits of springtime nature walks extend beyond mental wellbeing. Research demonstrates that spending time in nature, even for as little as 15 minutes, improves cardiovascular health by:

• Reducing blood pressure

• Lowering resting heart rate

• Making physical exercise feel more enjoyable and less strenuous

Interestingly, studies show that time in nature before exercise can enhance performance.

One research project found that participants who rested in natural settings before physical exertion demonstrated better endurance than those who spent time in urban areas beforehand.

With spring often involving social gatherings and meals, incorporating nature walks into your routine can help balance physical wellbeing.

Making Nature Part of Your Spring Routine

Spring presents an excellent opportunity to establish new habits around outdoor activities. Consider these approaches:

• Take a family walk to appreciate spring blossoms and wildlife

• Choose scenic routes for journeys to visit family and friends

• Go for a walk in the park

• Visit a community garden or nature reserve.

• Join a local walking group

  
  

Research suggests these small changes can positively affect mood and optimism from the first instance. When such activities become regular habits, they can improve motivation and make exercise more enjoyable over the long term.

The Green Prescription

The NHS increasingly recognises the health benefits of nature exposure, sometimes referred to as "green prescriptions."

While medication remains essential for many conditions, complementary approaches involving outdoor activities can support overall health management.

Whether you have your lunch in a park or choose greener routes for your daily commute, evidence indicates these small changes can significantly impact wellbeing. This spring, consider how you might incorporate more green spaces into your regular routine, beginning with the warmer days as your starting point.