A Dose of Nature—Better than Medicine?

A walk among the trees or across a field—could a simple stroll make much difference to you? 

According to recent studies, yes! Walking in nature can strengthen your immune system, improve your memory, and may even be better than medication for symptoms of ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder).

Recent research shows that spending a few hours in nature—forests, parks, places with trees or plants—increases immune function. Yes, it reduces stress. But researchers also point to phytoncides, the chemicals that plants release into the air to protect them from rotting and insects. These chemicals are apparently also helpful to people.

One study shows that time spent among plants reduces concentrations of cortisol, lowers pulse rate, and lowers blood pressure. A number of other studies show it raises levels of white blood cells—including one that showed that men walking for two hours in a forest over two days had a 50% spike in their killer cell levels. Another study reported that women who’d spent time in the forest experienced an increase in white blood cells that lasted a week.

And—you’ll have a better chance of remembering all of this information if you go for a nature walk today. Really? A recent study showed that participants performed 20% better on a test of short-term memory after they’d strolled a while among trees.

A previous study pinpointed that cognitive performance can be restored by looking at pictures of trees, hills and fields. Looking at pictures of streets, industrial units, and complex geometric patterns won’t help.

Time spent in nature is good for our kids, too. For children with ADHD, doing homework or taking a test can require a level of concentration that is difficult for them to maintain. A study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders found that children with ADHD showed better attention after a 20-minute walk in a park than after a walk in urban or residential settings.

“We don’t know what it is about the park, exactly,” says researcher Frances E. Kuo, but “the physical environment matters.”

Researchers were surprised to see that the effect of a dose of nature was comparable to a dose of medication and sometimes even more effective.

While regular doses of nature seem to create a persistent effect, there’s no precise formula available yet for calculating what a child might need over time.

The potential implications of all these findings—for everything from daily lifestyle decisions to raising children to urban design—are definitely interesting.  

Each day presents new opportunities for giving your mind and body restorative power—from taking a stroll in the park to taking a moment to gaze at the trees outside your office window. Nature’s out there, waiting for you!