IF YOU DO ONE THING THIS MONTH...

We could preach about the power of self-talk, the endorphin-boosting benefits of exercise, or give you the names of five body-positivity accounts to follow on social media. But research published in the journal Body Image

– yep, these guys know what they’re talking about – revealed the key to improving your relationship with your body is a walk in the park. Literally. Academics collated results from five studies and found that spending time in natural environments led to significantly higher appreciation for your own body. City dweller? Fear not: an urban green space does the job just as well as a national park. The researchers believe it’s because these kinds of surroundings take you away from appearancefocused situations, and using your body reminds you of what it can do, rather than how it looks. ‘This may foster self-compassion, such as respecting your body and appreciating that it’s part of a wider ecosystem requiring protection and care,’ explains Viren Swami, professor of social psychology at Anglia Ruskin University and lead author of the study. Natural beauty indeed.