- A study has shown that the restrictions on time in outdoor parks at the beginning of the pandemic took a toll on young people's mental wellbeing.
- A second study has also shown that as young people’s outdoor activity participation decreased during the pandemic, their connection to nature decreased as well.
- Researchers say this is part of a growing body of evidence outlining the role of outdoor activities in the mental health of children and young adults.
- It's important to find new ways to communicate the benefits of parks, to fuel healthier lifestyles.
Two new studies link declines in outdoor activities and park use during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic to reductions in mental health measures for teens and young adults from middle school through college.
The studies build evidence for the mental health benefits of nature’s medicine—and the potential hazards of restricting access, researchers say.
“This is an opportunity for anyone concerned about the health and well-being of future generationsto focus on the power of parks when it comes to mental health promotion, and to figure out what we can do to make sure all segments of the population have access to enjoy the health-related benefits that parks can provide,” says Lincoln Larson, an associate professor of parks, recreation, and tourism management at North Carolina State University.