Growing Up Around Nature Can Lead to Better Mental Health Later, Study Says

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Quick PSA for the parents: frequent trips to the park or backyard playtime can seriously benefit your kiddos for years—honestly, maybe their whole lives. A new study published on Monday by the journalPNASdetails how children who live in areas with dense vegetation show up to 55 percent less risk of mental health disorders later in life,NPRreported.

This study, conducted by researchers from Denmark’s Aarhus University, is allegedly the largest investigation into the connection between nature and mental health—pretty huge. It used a data set that looked at the lives of nearly one million Danish residents, while also balancing out other variables that could affect their likelihood of mental disorder (like income and family history).

Simply put: the study shows that exposure to greenery in childhood can decrease the likelihood of a person developing different mental illnesses—like alcoholism, schizophrenia, and mood disorders—in adulthood. That’s not to say nature will totally erase the possibility of mental health struggles later in life, but still, a little nature therapy is proven to have its benefits. I’m obsessed with this.

Even if you don’t live somewhere surrounded by lush vegetation, there are honestly so many ways to get the benefits of greenery. Consideradding more plants to your home(my go-to move, especially in the city), and go for a walk through the park when you can. A vacation to a more nature-filled spot can even prove to be an especially dreamy respite. Might I suggest venturing toupstate New York, or maybe escaping to thecountryside of northern Italy? Run, don’t walk.

Time spent in nature doesn’t solve every problem, let’s be real, but it can offer some perspective in an increasingly chaotic world. A breath of fresh air, after all, can do every single one of us some good.

See more nature escapes:What Happens When a Group of Design Lovers Buy an Inhospitable Motel?10 Vacations to Book This Spring, According to Airbnb’s Hot ListThis Country Was Named the Best in the World for the Third Year in a Row

Rebecca is most often found digging through troves of vintage treasures, both in-person and online. Ask her to recommend a good book to read or an obscure Instagram account to follow, and you won’t be disappointed.

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