L.L.Bean

Mental health benefits of the outdoors

In our busy world, where stress and anxiety can weigh heavily on us, it’s important to find ways to take care of our mental health. Did you know that spending time in nature can be a big help? Research has shown that being outdoors can have positive effects on our mental well-being. This includes things like helping us focus better, feel less stressed, improve our mood, and even reduce symptoms of mental health conditions.

Together with outdoor retailer L.L.Bean, Mental Health America (MHA) is creating awareness of how spending time in nature results in greater well-being. Our partnership has reached people through research, public education campaigns, and community-based outdoor mental health programs.

Here’s what our research found:

• 79% of people affirmed that being outdoors helped their mental health.
• Being outdoors can make your spiritual practice, mindfulness, or sense of purpose stronger.
• Feeling connected to nature is tied to feeling connected to others and yourself.
• 68% of people wish they could spend more time outdoors.
• The main barriers to spending time outdoors were lack of social connections and time constraints.
  • 46% of people say they don’t have anyone to go outdoors with, and 45% cite time constraints.
• 36% of people who want more outdoor time prefer to be in nature away from their neighborhoods.

Public education campaigns

Finding your connection to nature doesn’t always mean heading to a distant forest or a big park. It’s about making the most of what’s around you, like your own backyard or a nearby city park. Even taking a trip to find these spaces can be helpful. And, if you don’t have access to these places, you can still feel connected to nature by bringing nature inside with house plants. While studies often talk about the benefits of forests and parks, places like beaches and lakes are just as good. These “green and blue spaces” let us take a break from our busy lives and feel more connected to ourselves and others. Whether it’s green trees or blue water, being in nature helps us feel better.

Tips to increase your connection with nature

• Even small breaks help. Taking a 10-20 minute walk outside wherever it’s available and safe improves your mental health. These activities are free and not time-consuming.
• Loneliness and isolation are real barriers to mental wellness. Try reaching out to a friend or joining an outdoor club.
• If you are in an urban area, try to get out of the city occasionally.
• Can’t get outside? Bring nature indoors with some house plants.

Since 2022, MHA and L.L.Bean have worked together to increase access to the outdoors by distributing $390,000 to 18 MHA affiliates nationwide who are working in local communities to deliver innovative outdoor programs that strengthen mental health, foster community connectedness, and reinforce the vital link between well-being and time spent outside.

To date:

Over 2,300 individuals have benefited from outdoor-based programming, and over 90,000 collective hours have been spent outdoors.

Demonstrated program benefits

• Better mental health and well-being: People report feeling less anxious, depressed, calmer, and more balanced overall.
• Stronger connections and support: The programs have helped people build real relationships, feel less alone, and find support through shared experiences.
• Confidence and personal growth: Participants have gained confidence, learned new skills, and started taking on leadership roles, both in the programs and in their everyday lives.
• Improved physical health and habits: Spending time outdoors has boosted energy, improved fitness, and encouraged healthier daily routines.
• A deeper connection to nature: Many people walk away with a stronger appreciation for nature and simple ways to care for their well-being over time.

This resource information was made possible through the generous support of L.L.Bean.