Nature Plus Exercise: Young Adults' Mental Health Booster

Your neighborhood park might be doing more for your mental health than you realize, but only if you're actually noticing it while you exercise.

Researchers at the University of Montreal studied 357 young adults and discovered something surprising. Simply living in a leafy neighborhood doesn't automatically improve mental health. The real boost comes from perceiving nature regularly across different settings, especially during physical activity.

The study, published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, arrives at a crucial time. Between 2011 and 2018, mood and anxiety disorders surged among young Canadians aged 19 to 24. During the pandemic, life satisfaction among 15 to 29 year olds plummeted from 72% to just 26%.

Instead of counting trees or measuring distances to parks, postdoctoral fellow Corentin Montiel asked participants a different question. On a scale of one to five, how often do they actually perceive nature in their surroundings, both in everyday life and while exercising?

The results were striking. Young adults who reported high exposure to nature in both settings scored 7.4 points higher on mental health scales compared to those with low exposure in both. When researchers controlled for baseline mental health, the advantage remained significant at 3.6 points.

Interestingly, perceiving nature in just one setting wasn't enough. After accounting for initial mental health levels, only participants who regularly noticed nature in multiple contexts showed lasting benefits.

Professor Isabelle Doré, who supervised the study, explains why exercising in natural settings delivers particular mental health dividends. Natural environments redirect attention outward toward birdsong and rustling leaves rather than inward toward fatigue. This shift in focus may explain the mental health boost.

The Ripple Effect

The findings point to a powerful solution for improving youth mental health that doesn't require expensive interventions or medications. Community programs like school outings, carpooling to parks, and equipment loans can expand access to natural spaces for young people who lack it.

The study also highlights an equity issue. In Canada, immigrants, racialized minorities, and low income households have less access to urban green spaces. These disparities deepen health inequalities by limiting opportunities for outdoor activity in natural environments.

But there's encouraging news. You don't need wilderness to experience nature's benefits. A city park can get people moving and increase their well being just as effectively.

Doré's team is now launching SeeNAT, a four year project examining 36 types of physical activity from pickup soccer in city parks to backcountry hiking. They'll identify which activities offer the greatest mental health benefits for young adults.

The research suggests a simple prescription for better mental health: step outside, move your body, and pay attention to the green around you.