Whatever your plans are for the bank holiday weekend, make sure you include some quality time with Mother Nature (as if you needed an excuse to soak up some sun in the park!).
Turns out that people who live closer to green spaces have better mental health, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin in the US analysed data from 2,479 people living in over 200 neighborhoods throughout the state. By comparing the participants' distance from plant-abundant areas (like a park or a farm) and their overall self-reported mental wellbeing, researchers found that the closer a person lived to an area that had lots of foliage, the more positive they felt about their lives.
Specifically, the study showed that residents closer to trees, grass or flowers had less stress, anxiety and depression. Conversely, those who lived in neighborhoods with less than 10 percent tree canopy were more likely to report symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, regardless of factors such as income level, race, ethnicity and employment.
So that settles it; dig out your picnic basket, grab a blanket and put your sunnies on - it's time to go outside! Try one of these perfect picnic recipes for the ultimate bank holiday weekend.
Better yet - grab your trainers and get your sweat on outside. A University of California San Diego study of older adults found that those who exercised outside exercised longer and more often than those working out indoors. Not only that, but numerous studies have shown that outdoor exercise tends to be more strenuous than the indoor version. Go green and get lean!
Psst... if you are going to enjoy the great outdoors, don't forget to slap on some sunscreen.