A new study from Stanford University’s Natural Capital Project shows that even brief interactions with nature can significantly enhance mental health for urbanites. Discover how this research could revolutionize city planning.
With an increasing number of people living in urban environments, mental health issues such as anxiety and mood disorders are becoming more prevalent. A new study from Stanford University’s Natural Capital Project (NatCap) reveals that even 15 minutes of time spent in nature can yield considerable benefits for mental health.
Published in the journal Nature Cities, the study provides vital insights for urban planners and policymakers. The data suggests that integrating green spaces into cities not only helps alleviate mental health issues but also contributes to lowering urban temperatures and capturing carbon emissions.
“We are working to translate the effect size we found through this analysis to more intuitive indicators that would be useful for decision-makers by way of a new mental health-focused InVEST model,” lead author Yingjie Li, a postdoctoral scholar at NatCap and in the Department of Biology in Stanford’s School of Humanities and Sciences, said in a news release. “For example, we could run scenarios like: if a city currently has 20% green space or tree cover, how many preventable cases of mental health disorders could be avoided if that were increased to 30%? We will also be working to include estimates of the potential avoided healthcare costs associated with such improvements in urban nature.”
Pioneering Urban Nature Models
NatCap is renowned for its suite of InVEST tools, which assess ecosystem services worldwide. These tools now include specific measures for urban nature aimed at quantifying both mental and physical health benefits.
“Previous studies have documented strong links between contact with nature and mental health,” added senior author Anne Guerry, the chief strategy officer and lead scientist at NatCap. “But with most studies, you either can’t infer a causal link, they can’t be easily generalized, or they aren’t designed to distinguish the effects of different types of nature. This analysis helps fill that gap.”
The study consolidates data from nearly 5,900 participants across 78 field-based experimental studies, including randomized controlled trials and pre-post intervention studies.
Remarkably, the researchers found that urban forests have a more profound effect on reducing depression and anxiety than other types of green spaces, and that young adults benefit even more significantly — an important insight given that most mental health disorders arise before the age of 25.
Practical Implications for Urban Planning
The study underscores the importance of creating diverse types of green spaces. While large city parks and urban forests are invaluable, the researchers also advocate for the development of smaller “pocket parks” and the planting of additional street trees to improve accessibility.
Even smaller interventions, such as installing windows with views of green spaces or setting up quiet, nature-filled spaces for community activities, could provide mental health benefits.
The study has also had an impact on Li’s day-to-day life.
He walks to the office more often and finds that he’s becoming increasingly curious about the birds and plants he sees along the route.
“I also talk to my friends about thinking this way and encourage them to notice how even small moments with nature can make a difference,” he added. “This work has helped me see that urban nature isn’t just good for cities — it’s good for us.”
Additional co-authors from Stanford University and other institutions, including Leiden University, Michigan State University, Lanzhou University, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the University of Heidelberg, contributed to this study.