Children’s mental health has been a rising concern for parents, child development experts, and health professionals alike. But one recent study uncovered a surprisingly simple solution: spending more time outdoors.
The 2024 study, conducted by researchers at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, showed that kids who spend one hour per day in nature had a 50 percent lower risk of having mental health issues. The benefits — especially improvements in behavior and social skills — were even stronger for children from lower income households.
“This provides compelling evidence of nature’s role in reducing gaps in mental health between higher and lower income children,” summed up Rich Mitchell, PhD, a University of Glasgow professor and one of the study’s authors.
Another author of the study, Paul McCrorie, PhD, added, “Natural environments may buffer less advantaged children against increased psychosocial and environmental stressors. They also increase opportunities for improving social connection through activities like team sports.”
The researchers used an innovative approach, measuring children’s movement levels and outdoor time using GPS and accelerometer tracking tools to get the most accurate data. They kept track of light outdoor activities (such as walking or sitting) and vigorous outdoor activities (such as running or playing sports), and found that both activity levels were equally as beneficial to mental health outcomes. What was most important was that they were conducted in natural environments.
Numerous studies have shown many other social and emotional benefits for kids who play outdoors in nature. The growing body of research has pointed to benefits such as higher self-esteem, more resilience, reduced stress and anxiety, lower levels of aggression, better sharing and cooperation, and improved memory and attention.
Parents and caregivers who are looking for simple solutions to improve the outlook on their kids’ behavior, mental health, and social skills can keep this research in mind. Encouraging kids to join sports teams and moving some family activities outdoors can make a huge difference!
