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How much nature do we need? The true meaning behind the famous '120 minutes a week'

In brief

Nature contact is often viewed as a medicine with a precise dosage. The study that formed the basis for '120 minutes' did not establish a magical biological threshold.

Author / editorial team: Ezostylia Editorial TeamUpdated: AI-assisted
How much nature do we need? The true meaning behind the famous '120 minutes a week'
ANEzostylia Editorial TeamNature Evidence-based contentResearch-basedEvidence-based · 2 sources

Evidence-based content. Based on research, books, and recognized sources (WHO, APA, PubMed, universities). No symbolic interpretation.

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Nature contact is often viewed as a medicine with a precise dosage. The study that formed the basis for '120 minutes' did not establish a magical biological threshold.

Nature contact is often viewed as a medicine with a precise dosage. The study that formed the basis for '120 minutes' did not establish a magical biological threshold.

The origin of the 120 minutes

In a study published in Scientific Reports, individuals who reported spending about two hours in nature each week were more likely to describe their health and well-being positively.

It's a correlation, not a prescription

The study was observational, so we cannot definitively say that exactly 120 minutes will improve conditions for everyone.

Why nature may be beneficial

Proposed mechanisms include attention restoration, reduced exposure to urban stimuli, increased physical activity, and greater exposure to sunlight.

How to approach this without pressure

A park, garden, river, square, or green route to work can also be valuable. Establish a routine: take a 20–30 minute green walk a few times a week.

Pay attention to your own reactions

Not everyone feels comfortable in the forest, and not everyone has safe access to green spaces.

What science says

The '120 minutes' study is large and noteworthy, but it is observational. Recent meta-analyses suggest modest, varied benefits of nature for attention.

Further reading: Florence Williams, 'The Nature Fix'

Sources

  • White M.P. et al. Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature. Scientific Reports, 2019. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44097-3.
  • Austen E. et al. The relationship between nature exposure and attention restoration. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102632.

This is educational material and does not substitute for individual diagnosis, psychotherapy, or medical advice.

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Sources

  1. White M.P. et al. Spending at least 120 minutes per week in nature. Scientific Reports, 2019. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44097-3.
  2. Austen E. et al. The relationship between exposure to nature and attention restoration. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102632.
Keywords
nature120 minuteswell-beinggreen walkattention restoration

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