The last time you felt stressed at work did you go for a walk outside? This is just one example of how escaping to a serene and tranquil environment, a nearby park or forest, can work wonders for your mental health.

Many studies, both medical and research-driven, have shown that nature plays a great role in mental and physical stimulation. For instance, studies indicate that nature tends to boost mood and lower anxiety and depression levels dramatically. After all, how many movies are there about a busy urban business man or women who escapes to the country to destress and unplug?

Indeed, city life can be taxing on mental and physical health when you consider the quick pace and increased pollution compared to that of more rural areas. Here’s getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city and escaping into nature can be the best thing for your wellbeing:

1. Bask in the sunshine vitamin
Of course, we’d never recommend sunbathing without sunscreen. However, getting outside to let the sun touch your face and skin isn’t a bad idea either. The sun is the only way to get vitamin D, which is why it’s called the “sunshine vitamin”. And healthy doses of vitamin D help keep seasonal depression (or SAD) at bay and boost mood and energy. Vitamin D is linked to serotonin production. This neurotransmitter is important for regulating things like mood, appetite, sleep, and metabolism, but it also acts as a natural antidepressant. For instance, a study from psychologists at the University of Illinois found that daily vitamin D (or sun exposure) helped to reduce symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.

2. Protects mental health
Nature, and of course vitamin D exposure, is not only good for protecting us from chronic disease, it also helps safeguard our minds from mental health issues. For instance, psychotherapy researches Charité-Universitätsmedizin, in Berlin, Germany conducted a study in 2013. Findings showed that study participants who suffered from a variety of anxiety, attention deficit, substance abuse, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and sleep disorders improved their mental health and physical health after doing activities in nature for a period of 6-weeks.

3. Nature = happiness!
   We’re told to exercise regularly for a variety of reasons (i.e., to sleep better, lose weight, eat less, and even to improve mood). However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that exercise be done outside. Why? Findings from the NICE research noted that just 45 minutes of outdoor exercise, 3 times a week reduced depression and significantly boosted mood in study participants. So forget the elliptical machine at your stuffy gym, get outside for a bike ride, walk, or run and experience the endorphin-rush of nature.