For Better Health During the Pandemic, Is Two Hours Outdoors the New 10,000 Steps? (WSJ)

 The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) recently published an article pointing to the benefits of getting out in nature, citing my favorite subject of Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing), and some new data points 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!