Why Going Outside is Good For You According to Science

We are approaching the darkest day of the year. While there are definitely benefits to getting outside at this time of year, it can be a struggle to make that happen. While hiking nourishes each of us in a unique way, we know there are physical and mental health benefits from getting outdoors. Here are three ways recent science has found benefits to getting outside. Perhaps this info can help you find motivation to plan your winter hikes and think about some fun, hiking related new year’s resolutions.

Local parks and trails provide opportunities to get outside through the seasons. Photo by trip reporter Birb.

Living near parks is good for your health

A 2023 study from Science Advances found that people who live in areas with more surrounding green space were, on average, biologically 2.5 years younger. 

Researchers used satellite imagery to examine populations who are surrounded by 20% green space within 3 miles of where they live versus those with 30% of green cover within the same distance. They found that people with more surrounding green space were biologically younger. 

To determine biological age, researchers looked at participants’ blood samples and specifically the build up of methyl groups on their DNA. This DNA clock tells researchers more about someone’s likelihood to develop heart disease, cancer and cognitive problems than their age in years.

WTA works to create more opportunities for people to experience green spaces near where they live through our Trail Next Door campaign.

Parks have “public health superpowers”

The Trust for Public Land does an annual survey of parks across the 100 most populous U.S. cities. This year they found that healthcare institutions in 26 of those cities are partnering up with parks. Healthcare organizations are writing prescriptions for their patients to attend health and fitness programs at parks and funding parks programs that get people active.

The benefits for patients include physical, mental and social health benefits. Parks provide places for planned as well as spontaneous social interaction. Connecting with other people and with nature bolsters us. This can be all the more critical during the winter months.

“If we had a medicine that delivered as many benefits as parks, we would all be taking it," said Dr. Howard Frumkin, senior vice president at the Trust for Public Land and former dean of the University of Washington School of Public Health.

Getting outdoors is good for our mental, physical and social health. Photo by Maria Geraldine Suguitan.

Human connection to nature benefits both people and conservation

A 2023 study reviewed research across different fields from the past 100-plus years – all relating to the mental, emotional or physical connection between people and nature.

Key takeaways from this review of 832 different scientific studies: 

• Time spent in nature improved physical, mental and social health and even brain function. 
• Having a psychological connection with nature influenced people’s pro-environmental behaviors and values.
• We need more research into how developing connections with nature can promote conservation. 

The researchers noted that the studies were overwhelmingly from North America, Europe and Asia. They acknowledged the difference between cultures that view humans as part of nature and those that are human-centered and see nature as separate. The authors observed, “individuals in most industrialized nations seem to be influenced by worldviews that underestimate the actual impacts of nature on their welfare and behavior.” 

You can join WTA in amplifying the message that connecting with nature is essential to our hearts, minds and bodies. A great way to start is by hiking your local or neighborhood trail and writing a trip report to inspire someone else to get outside this winter.