While COVID-19 lockdowns have slowed coronavirus transmission, such structural measures also have unintended consequences on mental and physical health. Growing evidence shows that exposure to the natural environment (e.g., blue-green spaces) can improve human health and wellbeing.

During the pandemic, people experienced multiple types of nature, including both outdoors and indoors. Frequency of visits to outdoor public parks depended on lockdown severity as well as socio-cultural considerations.

The report found the majority of the evidence suggests nature exposure during COVID-19 pandemic was associated with less depression, anxiety, stress, and more happiness and life satisfaction. Additionally, nature exposure was correlated with less physical inactivity and fewer sleep disturbances. 

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