As temperatures warm and calendars fill, one mental health strategy is to spend time in nature. Research has found that humans are wired to crave time in nature. Connecting with nature has been associated with decreases in perceived stress, decreases in negative emotions, and increases in positive emotions. Spending time in nature has also been shown to increase cognition, memory, creativity, and sleep quality.

There are a variety of ways to increase nature time. Exercise is a wonderful activity for mental and physical health; bringing your exercise outside is even better. Try walking, jogging, riding a bike, or classes such as outdoor yoga, tai chi, or Zumba. Gardening is also a wonderful way to get outside. Activities involved in gardening such as digging, planting, weeding, and watering are great ways to increase physical activity, and the act of gardening itself can be like a form of meditation. Volunteering for a community garden is also one way to meet people and decrease isolation, which can boost mental health.

Other ideas to increase nature time include bird watching, visiting local arboretums or botanical gardens, and having meals outside. Whether it’s a walk down your street or a visit to a national park, spending time in nature can significantly increase mental wellbeing.