Introduction
In the United States, outdoor recreation is a significant contributor to the economy. The outdoor industry employs more than 7.6 million people, generates $887 billion annually in consumer spending and creates $143 billion in tax revenues for federal, state and local governments annually. As these statistics demonstrate, Americans spend more time outside than ever before.
Yet many of us are missing out on one of the best benefits of being outdoors: its ability to improve health and well-being. Research demonstrates that spending time in nature can improve stress levels, reduce anxiety and depression while increasing feelings of happiness and joy (and it doesn’t require much effort). In fact, according to a study published by Stanford University researchers in 2016, “spending 20 minutes outside walking around on campus” was found to be just as effective at reducing stress as sitting down with a friend over coffee!”
Outdoor recreation is a significant contributor to the American economy.
- The outdoor recreation economy is a $887 billion industry, accounting for 7% of the gross domestic product (GDP).
- Outdoor recreation is an important part of the American economy.
- It supports 6 million jobs and provides $80 billion in wages and benefits to employees each year.
The healing power of nature is a widely known phenomenon.
The healing power of nature is a widely known phenomenon. Research demonstrates that spending time in nature can improve health, wellness and well-being. Outdoor recreation has been shown to have positive effects on people with physical health conditions such as arthritis, cancer and heart disease. These benefits include reduced stress and anxiety, improved moods and increased self-esteem.
Research demonstrates that spending time in nature can improve health, wellness and well-being.
Spending time in nature can improve your health and well-being. There are many ways to incorporate nature into your daily life, whether it’s taking a walk in your local park or hiking along a trail. Connecting with the natural world helps us feel more relaxed, calm and focused on our thoughts. It also provides an opportunity for us to get away from technology when we need some down time from our busy lives.
The research shows that people who spend time outdoors report feeling happier than those who don’t engage in outdoor activities.* This has been shown across cultures and ages – even young children experience this benefit!
Conclusion
The healing power of nature is a widely known phenomenon. Research demonstrates that spending time in nature can improve health, wellness and well-being. People who spend time outdoors have lower rates of heart disease, depression and stress than those who don’t. Outdoor recreation can also help people cope with mental illness such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
