Time in Nature: Why Just 24 Minutes Outdoors Helps You Relax

Forget retail therapy, a late night out or another hour of scrolling. According to a new survey, one of the best ways to unwind costs nothing at all, and you may only need about 24 minutes of it.

The research, carried out among 2,000 UK adults for natural beauty brand Faith In Nature, found that 93% agree time in nature helps balance out everyday stress. Around seven in ten (69%) said even a few minutes outdoors lifts their mood.

Britain’s favourite natural pleasures

The sound of the sea came out on top, with just over half of people (52%) naming waves crashing on the shore as their favourite natural pleasure. Stargazing on a clear night came next at 50%, followed by the smell of the air after rain (49%).

The rest of the top picks were just as simple: spotting the first signs of spring, breathing in the smell of woodland, and walking through crunchy autumn leaves. Even a thunderstorm made the list, with about a third of people loving the sound of one from a warm bed.

Why time in nature beats a night out

The findings suggest the outdoors is hard to beat. Six in ten people (60%) said being outside lifts them more than a night on the town, and 58% said a quiet moment in nature beats buying something new. Nearly seven in ten would choose nature over doomscrolling.

The gap between what we want and what we get

There is a catch. On average, Brits spend just under 55 minutes a day outdoors, or a little over six and a half hours a week. When asked what they would ideally like, people said closer to two hours and 23 minutes every day.

Seven in ten admit they fall short. The main things getting in the way are long working hours (35%), too much screen time (31%) and bad weather (22%). It is not a surprise, then, that 48% say their mood dips after a full day indoors and 45% feel cut off from the outside world after desk work.

Younger adults are pushing back

Younger generations seem especially keen to unplug. Around 65% of millennials said getting outdoors helps them switch off, compared with 55% of Gen Z. More than half of both groups are trying to cut down on screen time, and many say social media hurts their wellbeing.

How to fit 24 minutes into your day

You do not need a mountain or a weekend away. A few easy ideas:

• Take your lunch outside, even if it is just to a bench or a patch of green.
• Walk part of the way to work or the school run, or get off a stop early.
• Take your phone off the table and step outside for a hot drink in the morning.
• Look up on a clear night and spend five minutes stargazing.

As Faith In Nature’s managing director Hannah Whittaker puts it, nature does not need to be complicated. It is good for us, and sometimes we simply need a reminder to get out there. Step away from the screen, head outside for 24 minutes and see how you feel.

Looking for more? Read our guides to creating a cosy reading nook and making a leather belt last longer, or head back to the Brew and Browse home page.