A Dose of NatureGetting outdoors vital for mental health.

Outdoor recreation isn’t just about having fun, it’s also a public health necessity, according to Oregon State University researchers. A study from OSU’s HEAL research lab found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, people who spent more time outdoors reported better mental health. “Even after controlling for numerous COVID-specific risk and protective factors, outdoor recreation emerged as an important protective factor for mental health during the crisis,” said Assistant Professor Xiangyou (Sharon) Shen, director of the lab. The findings have policy implications. During the pandemic, many public spaces such as playgrounds and parks were closed to limit virus spread — a move Shen suggests should be reconsidered in future crises. Policymakers, Shen said, “should prioritize outdoor recreation access with the same urgency they apply to other essential health services.”