Brief nature exposure in urban settings provides significant mental health benefits, reducing anxiety and depression while offering cost-effective solutions for public wellbeing in growing cities.
Recent research highlights the vital connection between urban greenspaces and psychological well-being in urban environments, suggesting cost-effective nature-based solutions for enhancing public health and health equity in cities.
With urban populations projected to reach 70% of humanity by 2050, addressing mental health challenges prevalent among city residents – particularly anxiety and mood-related disorders – becomes increasingly crucial. Mental health is a growing concern in urban areas, and innovative solutions are needed.
A collaborative study between Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Stanford University’s Natural Capital Project (NatCap) demonstrates that brief exposure to urban greenspaces can substantially benefit various aspects of mental wellbeing. The findings, recently published in Nature Cities, provide valuable insights for urban designers, landscape architects, government officials, and stakeholders on leveraging green infrastructure for mental health promotion, while simultaneously addressing climate challenges through temperature reduction and carbon capture. The research team is currently developing these insights into a practical planning tool for urban development professionals.
“Our goal is to convert our research findings into practical metrics that decision-makers can readily utilize,” explained Yingjie Li, NatCap postdoctoral researcher and the study’s primary author. “For instance, we can estimate how many mental health cases might be prevented by increasing a city’s green space quality and coverage from 20% to 30%. Our software will also calculate potential healthcare cost savings associated with enhanced urban nature integration.”
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The InVEST suite, NatCap’s signature mapping and modeling platform, is globally implemented to evaluate ecosystem services – the various ways nature benefits human communities. The organization has been steadily expanding its urban-focused toolkit over recent years, incorporating principles of environmental psychology and the biophilia hypothesis.
“Collaborating with the Stanford team on this project has been incredibly rewarding. This research addresses a crucial knowledge gap in understanding how different natural environments can enhance mental health outcomes. InVEST represents a groundbreaking, solution-oriented tool that will influence future urban planning and landscape architecture approaches, helping create healthier communities on a healthier planet,” commented Kari Nadeau, who holds the position of John Rock Professor of Climate and Population Studies and chairs the Department of Environmental Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
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The research team analyzed data encompassing nearly 5,900 participants across 78 field-based experimental studies, including both randomized controlled trials and pre-post intervention research. While all forms of urban nature demonstrated positive effects on good mental health, urban forests showed particularly strong benefits for specific metrics, notably in reducing depression and anxiety levels. The study revealed that young adults experienced enhanced cognitive benefits and brain activity, including increased alpha waves and beta waves, compared to the general population – a significant finding given that most mental health conditions manifest before age 25.
Interestingly, the research indicated that passive time spent in green spaces and restorative environments was more effective at alleviating negative mental health symptoms like depression compared to physical activity and outdoor activities, although both forms of interaction showed equal benefits for positive outcomes such as vitality, measured through assessments of alertness, energy, and liveliness. This finding aligns with the attention restoration theory, which suggests that natural settings can help restore depleted cognitive resources. The study also uncovered stronger effects in Asian countries, where physiological responses may be amplified by cultural connections to nature that predispose individuals to experience greater mental health benefits from green space exposure.
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Drawing from these analytical insights, the researchers emphasize that while expansive urban parks and forests play a vital role in promoting good mental health, it’s equally important to develop smaller “pocket parks” and increase neighborhood greenness through street tree canopy to enhance park access and green space access throughout urban areas. They suggest that even simple interventions like positioning windows to face green spaces could prove beneficial for mental wellbeing through improved green visibility and window views, along with establishing tranquil, contemplative landscapes and implementing community programs that facilitate passive nature exposure, such as guided meditation sessions in parks or horticultural activities – representing cost-effective approaches to improving urban public health, life satisfaction, and social cohesion.
On a personal note, Li reports that this research has transformed his own lifestyle habits. He now more frequently chooses to walk to work and finds himself increasingly engaged with the local flora and fauna along his route, increasing his outdoor time and nature connection. “I’ve started encouraging my friends to adopt this mindset and recognize how even brief nature encounters in public spaces can create meaningful impact on their quality of life. This research has reinforced my understanding that urban nature isn’t just beneficial for cities – it’s essential for human wellbeing,” Li reflected.
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The study’s findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the stress reduction theory and highlight the importance of incorporating green infrastructure, community gardens, and therapeutic gardens in urban planning. By improving access to high-quality urban greenspaces and residential greenspace, cities can promote mental health recovery, enhance emotional well-being, and ultimately improve the overall quality of life for their residents, including those in disadvantaged communities. Additionally, these natural settings contribute to improved air quality and increased biodiversity, further enhancing the health benefits of urban green spaces.
The research also suggests that incorporating indoor plants in urban environments where outdoor green space is limited can provide some of the mental health benefits associated with nature exposure. This could be particularly valuable for office spaces, schools, and residential buildings where access to outdoor greenery is restricted.
Furthermore, the study highlights the potential of various landscape features in urban design to maximize the mental health benefits of green spaces. By carefully considering elements such as water features, diverse plant species, and natural soundscapes, urban planners can create more effective restorative environments that promote relaxation and cognitive restoration.
As cities continue to grow and evolve, the integration of urban greenspaces and the promotion of green visibility in urban landscapes will play an increasingly crucial role in supporting public health. By leveraging the findings of this research and implementing nature-based solutions, urban planners and policymakers can create more resilient, healthier, and more livable cities for future generations.
Source: Carly Stearnbourne (July 30, 2025). For city dwellers, even 15 minutes in nature can improve mental health. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.https://hsph.harvard.edu/environmental-health/news/for-city-dwellers-even-15-minutes-in-nature-can-improve-mental-health/
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