‘Our study shows that for the greatest payoff, in terms of efficiently lowering levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, you should spend 20 to 30 minutes sitting or walking in a place that provides you with a sense of nature,’ explains study leader Dr. Mary Carol Hunter.
She believes that the study should lead to an increase in the prescription of ‘nature-pills’ – where doctors advise patients suffering with anxiety and depression to spend more time in the natural world.
It’s really important to keep an eye on your stress levels.
Persistently elevated levels of cortisol in the body can cause increased blood pressure, headaches, stomach pain and plenty of other niggly symptoms. Evidence suggests that stress can even contribute to long-term chronic conditions such as heart problems and diabetes.
It’s good to know that simply spending a bit of time with some trees could help to reduce your risks.
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