Outdoor destinations
Search for destination, route or locationThe search starts automatically when at least two characters are entered. Navigate to the search results using the up or down arrow keys.
Green time is an easy way to improve health and well-being in everyday life. It refers to any time spent in natural environments, whether in a local park, forest, beach, or other green or blue space.
The Health from Nature programme, coordinated by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), recommends that everyone spend time in nature regularly. Research shows that as little as 15 minutes can provide measurable health benefits.
Spending time in nature offers a practical and accessible way to improve well-being. It requires no special equipment, skills, or schedules.
Research evidence shows that:
“I encourage everyone to think about how they spend their time each day. Could you find 15 minutes for nature? For many people, reducing screen time slightly could free up enough time to enjoy nature. In Finland, nature is usually close by, and people can enjoy nature time not only in forests but also in urban parks and yards”, says Jaana Halonen, Chief Researcher at THL.
“Fifteen minutes in a nearby forest, by the shore, or on a familiar outdoor trail already counts as green time. If you are not yet familiar with the nature close to home, the Luontoon.fi website and mobile app offer a vast selection of nearby trails and nature destinations across Finland. And if your appetite for exploring nature grows, you can also find all our national parks there”, says Harri Karjalainen, Communications Manager at Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland.
Studies have shown that spending time and being physically active in nature can:
Research has found a positive association between green time and mental well-being. Screen time, on the other hand, has been linked to opposite effects.
Even small moments in nature can make a difference:
“Everyone can find their own way to enjoy nature. The most important thing is to make time for being outdoors. Even small amounts of nature time add up”, Halonen says.
A good opportunity to start spending more time in nature is Finnish Nature Day, celebrated on Saturday, 29 August.
Increasing green time is one of the objectives of the ten-year Health from Nature programme. The programme aims to increase the use of nature’s health benefits in everyday life, health and social care, and workplaces. It seeks to make nature-based health promotion a practical part of disease prevention and well-being promotion.
The nature time recommendation supports the programme’s goal of improving population well-being through accessible and cost-effective measures.
The programme is coordinated by THL. Partners include Sitra, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Finnish Environment Institute, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Finnish Allergy, Skin and Asthma Federation, Finnish Lung Health Association, MIELI Mental Health Finland, The Organisation for Respiratory Health in Finland, the Age Institute, the Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities, City of Vantaa, and Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland.
