Scientists Found a 20-Minute Way to Reduce Stress, and It Starts in Your Backyard
Your backyard might be one of the easiest places to manage everyday stress. A University of Michigan study found that spending 20 to 30 minutes in nature was particularly efficient at lowering cortisol, a hormone associated with stress. The findings suggest that a short outdoor break may offer measurable benefits. And with comfortable seating, shade, and a few plants, homeowners can create a backyard retreat that encourages them to step outside regularly. Next: The Simple Walking Trick That Could Support a Longer, Healthier Life Scientists Found More Reasons to Get Outside A separate study published in Scientific Reports examined nearly 20,000 adults and found that spending at least two hours weekly in nature was associated with better self-reported health and psychological well-being. Another 2022 study in Molecular Psychiatry found that a 60-minute nature walk reduced activity in the amygdala, a brain region involved in processing stress. The study involved 63 he...
