Time spent in nature may support young people’s mental wellbeing
Spending time in nature and engaging in outdoor activities are associated with better mental wellbeing among young people, according to the results of the School Health Promotion Study. Mental wellbeing was highest among adolescents who spent time in nature on a daily basis.
THL’s survey examined the relationship between adolescents’ positive mental health and both physical activity in nature and time spent outdoors. The survey was based on the 2025 School Health Promotion Study data.
The study found that spending time in nature even once a week was associated with higher levels of positive mental health. The more frequently young people spent time in nature, the stronger their positive mental health tended to be.
Positive mental health refers to psychological resources, positive emotions, social competence, and the ability to adapt to change. It is a resource that can be strengthened.
While extensive evidence exists on the positive mental health effects of nature exposure among adults, research focusing on adolescents is more limited.
Most young people spend time in nature at least once a week
Positive mental health is generally stronger among boys than girls. Differences were also observed between educational levels: general upper secondary school students reported higher levels of positive mental health than students in grades 8–9 of basic education or those attending vocational institutions.
A large majority (91%) of adolescents reported spending time in nature at least once a week, and nearly half (45%) at least four days a week.
In the School Health Promotion Study, “nature” referred to environments such as forests, parks, shores, and bodies of water. Respondents were asked to report their nature visits over the previous seven days.
“There is growing evidence, particularly among children and adults, that time spent in nature is positively linked with mental health. Our results suggest that nature may also hold potential for supporting the wellbeing of adolescents,” says senior researcher Tytti Pasanen.
“Symptoms related to adolescent mental health have increased significantly in the 2020s, and we need diverse approaches to prevention and strengthening mental wellbeing. Contact with nature is a simple tool that is accessible to most young people,” adds research manager Kaija Appelqvist Schmidlechner.
This study did not examine where, how, or for how long adolescents spent time in nature, nor did it distinguish between physically active and more passive forms of nature contact. Further research is needed to better understand the effects of different natural environments and the mechanisms behind nature’s mental health benefits.
Source:
Further Information
Kaija Appelqvist-Schmidlechner
Research Manager
THL
Tel. +358 29 524 7275
[email protected]
Tytti Pasanen
Senior Researcher
THL
Tel. +358 29 524 6114
[email protected]
The Health from Nature programme, coordinated by THL, encourages the use of nature based approaches to promote health. The programme aims to enhance population wellbeing by increasing nature exposure in everyday life and across different sectors of society.
More information is available on the programme’s website
