Does walking in green spaces or nature benefit your health?

Walking in nature or living near green space is consistently associated with a lower heart rate, lower blood pressure and less stress. That is the most convincing finding from a systematic review of measurements taken outside the lab¹. The exact dose is still unclear, but the relationship is strong enough to take seriously.

Having green space in your neighbourhood also makes it more likely that you will be physically active. Residents of the greenest areas were 27% more likely to meet physical activity guidelines than people in the least green areas, according to an English survey study². Surprisingly, this was not explained by park visits, but by gardening and DIY activities. Exactly how that works is not yet clear.

Distance matters. A Dutch study of more than 3,200 adults³ found that people walked almost 23 minutes less per week for recreation for every 100 metres of extra distance to the nearest green area. For commuting, that relationship was barely present. Because the study accounts for individual differences, this result for walking is relatively reliable.

Not every effect is equally well established. A study of more than 157,000 women found no association between neighbourhood green space and fall risk⁴. A 2024 review of urban green space interventions⁵ shows a mixed picture: play areas and outdoor fitness equipment help, but evidence for walking paths and greening measures is less clear-cut. Data on mental health benefits are scarce. Finally, a policy analysis⁶ points out that not everyone has equal access to green space, which also widens health inequalities.