How nature nurtures: Amygdala activity decreases as the result of a one-hour walk in nature

This study suggests that going for a walk in nature can have health promoting effects on stress-related brain regions, and consequently, it may act as a preventive measure against mental strain and potentially disease. Living in cities is associated with increased mental health risks. This study is causal in design and is an intervention study that investigates changes in the brain. This is the first study that we know to demonstrate the causal effects of acute exposure to natural vs. urban environment on stress-related brain regions, disentangling positive effects of nature from negative effects of city.