recently published an article pointing out the benefits of nature walks, quoting my favorite topic, Sinrin-Yoko (swimming in the woods) and some new data from Stanford University and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.

Some interesting insights:

• Spending time in the woods is strongly linked to lower blood pressure, heart rate and stress hormones and decreased anxiety, depression and fatigue. It also increases the presence of cancer-fighting cells.
  
• Time in a forest is linked to decreased inflammation, which has been implicated in chronic disease.
  
• Spending 120+ minutes/week in nature increases a sense of good health and well-being, with peak feelings kicking in at 200-300 minutes per week.
• You don’t have to get deep in the backcountry – A 45-minute walk in nature can make a world of difference to mood, creativity, the ability to use your working memory.

All good stuff!