Why 20 minutes? It has an effect on mental development
Attention Restoration Theory emphasizes that elements in nature, such as the sounds of running water and rustling leaves, renew a person's ability to focus. Experiments conducted in a laboratory setting have shown that individuals who see natural landscapes are more successful in attention and memory tasks.
A long-term study in Denmark examining 900,000 children showed that individuals who grew up in green areas had a lower risk of mental illness in adulthood. Nature walks support mental health by reducing the effects of mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression.
Nature walks offer significant benefits not only for mental health but also for physical health. Even just a 15-minute nature walk supports cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and resting heart rate. There is also scientific evidence that time spent in nature increases endurance performance.
Harvard Health and other scientific sources state that 20-minute walks in nature are effective in reducing stress by significantly lowering cortisol levels. Studies published in ScienceDirect emphasize that short walks in nature make exercise more enjoyable and reduce the effort.
Another study in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research showed that 20-minute park visits resulted in an average 1.5-point increase in people's mental well-being scores.
In such a short time, 20-minute nature walks that anyone can easily incorporate into their lives, regardless of age or lifestyle, stand out as a practical method that supports both mental and physical health.
ntv
