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This shows a child playing outside with wooden blocks.

·June 8, 2026·9 min read

Preschool Outdoor Play Protects Childhood Mental Health

The findings show that each additional day per week a child plays outdoors between ages two and four increases their odds of remaining in a healthy, low-symptom category through age eight by 6% to 14%, reducing both internalizing issues like anxiety and externalizing behaviors like hyperactivity.

This shows people sitting in a city park

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·April 28, 2022·5 min read

Living in Areas With More Greenery May Boost Cognitive Function

Living near green spaces improves processing speed, cognitive function, and attention in addition to improving mental health, researchers report.

This shows a child's drawing of trees and animals

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 12, 2021·3 min read

Nature Draws Out a Happy Place for Children

Children raised in areas without much access to green space consider nature to be their "happy place", a new study reports.

This shows two little girls walking in a park

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 1, 2021·4 min read

The Risk of ADHD May Be Lower if Children Grow up in Green Environments

Children who grew up in residential areas surrounded by green space were less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than those who were raised in areas without access to nature.

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·November 9, 2020·6 min read

Human Wilderness Connection Has Psychological Roots and Could Reduce Disease Risk

Feeling calm after spending time in nature is a sign your psychological needs are being met, a new study reports. People's attachment to wilderness can be explained by their psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

This shows a sad looking woman on a crowded city street

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 5, 2020·4 min read

Cities increase your risk of depression, anxiety and psychosis – but bring mental health benefits too

While the risks of developing depression, anxiety disorders, and psychosis are significantly higher for urban dwellers, researchers report there are some positive impacts on mental health for those who live in big cities.

This shows people walking in a city park

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·November 24, 2019·4 min read

Urban green space can prevent premature deaths

A meta-analysis of nine longitudinal studies reveals urban green spaces are significantly associated with a reduction in premature mortality. A 4% reduction in premature mortality was linked to each increment of 0.1 in vegetation score within 500 meters of residential buildings.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 2, 2019·4 min read

Anxiety and depression: why doctors are prescribing gardening rather than drugs

Exposure to nature has been shown to help improve depression and anxiety symptoms. Many mental health professionals are recommending patients spend time gardening as a therapy. The main treatment benefits may be seen when a person enters a community gardening project, which helps develop social and cooperative skills, as well as providing support for those with mental health conditions.

This shows a parent and child walking in the park

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 4, 2019·4 min read

Children don’t like nature as much as adults, but preferences change with age

Younger children tend to prefer urban environments, but older children tend to prefer natural settings. Findings suggest an affinity for nature develops gradually during life rather than being inherent at an early age.