Walk in the park beats Covid fears

PEOPLE who spent more time outdoors during the pandemic in 2020 were less depressed and anxious than those who stayed mostly indoors, researchers found.

And according to the study, having a park within walking distance during the first Covid wave boosted mental health.

More than 1,200 people were asked how often they visited green spaces in 2020.

Those who spent a lot of time indoors and on the internet reported poor mental health levels, while those who spent time in a green space nearby saw significantly lower levels of depression and anxiety.

The University of Colorado Boulder study found that a third of people said they spent more time outdoors during the pandemic than before it. ‘This research shows how critical it is to keep parks and green spaces open in times of crisis,’ said study author Professor Colleen Reid.