Camilo Castillo, 2, feeds ducks at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City on Thursday, July 13, 2023. A study from the University of Utah shows that being outside for at least 10 minutes a day helps improve mental health. (Megan Nielsen, Deseret News)
(Megan Nielsen, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — A study from the University of Utah shows that being outside for at least 10 minutes a day helps improve mental health.
Researchers found that being outside can reduce stress and better your mood.
Professor of Social Work, Joanna Bettmann Schaefer said no matter what you’re doing, just being outside helps.
“In order to get the benefits of nature exposure you just have to be in a natural area for a minimum of 10 minutes,” she said.
Schaefer said it doesn’t matter if you are in a city park or a hiking trail to see the benefits.
“You can find a street that has more trees than buildings,” she said. “More greenery around you. It can be a garden… Anything that’s more green than it is built.”
The data shows despite having different mental illnesses, individuals can still get the same benefits for their mental health.
Josuee Sanchez is a reporter for KSL NewsRadio.