The benefits of Green Health
There is now a strong evidence base for the benefits of greenspace and nature for health and wellbeing.
How does nature and the outdoors improve health?
Contribution to effective recovery
The natural environment can have important ‘restorative’ qualities and thus promote recovery from mental and physical stresses. Experience of the natural environment, and being involved in its care, can motivate sustained behaviour changes which positively impact health.
Nature as preventive medicine
Physical activity outdoors and contact with nature can help to protect against future stresses and aid concentration. Just being outdoors during the day can bring mental and physical health benefits and help to guard against illness.
Wider social health benefits
Public use of the natural environment is linked to wider social health and well-being benefits. As more people connect with local green places and get involved in their care, communities become stronger, more inclusive and more sustainable.
Sustained benefits for young people
It’s important to stimulate positive interest in the natural world and encourage outdoor activity at a young age. Doing so can promote a healthier lifestyle and greater nature connectedness for a lifetime.
Further information
Evidence-base for health benefits
The following resources are evidence based publications which demonstrate the benefits of the natural environment to health and well-being.
- NEER030 A narrative review of reviews of nature exposure and human health and well-being in the UK (NEER030) - Natural England
- National Academy for Social Proscribing Evidence briefing- Social prescribing: the natural environment
- NatureScot Research Report 1361 - SPANS Scotland’s People and Nature Survey 2023/24 - health and wellbeing report
- Evidence of benefits – NHS Forest
- A Dose of Nature: Addressing chronic health conditions by using the environment – NHS Forest
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