MedUni Vienna: Stress-Free After Just 20 Minutes in the Forest

Contact with natural forest landscapes has a proven positive effect on mental health and stress levels – and this is evident after a short time. Just 20 minutes are enough to achieve measurable relaxation effects. This is shown by a recent experimental field study published in the journal "Forests" by the Medical University of Vienna in cooperation with partner institutions, conducted in the Vienna Woods.

Vienna Study Confirms: Forest Visits Sustainably Reduce Stress Levels

The results provide important new insights into the health-promoting effects of nature visits and underline their relevance for sustainable health promotion. In the Vienna study, 66 healthy adults were randomly assigned to two groups: one group spent 20 minutes in a forest area with varying tree species diversity in the Vienna Woods, the other in an urban environment without greenery.

Before and after the visit, saliva samples were taken to determine the physiological stress marker cortisol. In parallel, a psychological survey was conducted, including a scale to measure positive and negative affect. The statistical analysis of the collected data showed that cortisol levels in the forest group halved, while the city group showed no such effect. In the forest group, positive mood remained stable, while it decreased by about 25% in the city group. At the same time, negative affect in the forest decreased by about 12%, indicating a noticeable relief from distressing emotions. In contrast, mood in the urban group remained largely unchanged.

"The results clearly show that even a short stay in the forest improves mood," explains Daniela Haluza from the Department of Environmental Hygiene and Environmental Medicine at the Center for Public Health of MedUni Vienna.

Impulses for Healthcare and Urban Development

In light of increasing psychological stress, especially in urban areas, these findings could provide new impulses for prevention and healthcare – for example, through the stronger integration of nature-based elements in urban planning or targeted recommendations for stress-affected population groups.

"We advocate for the preventive potential of nature contacts to be more strongly integrated into public healthcare – whether through therapeutically accompanied forest stays or health-related education," says environmental physician Daniela Haluza. Additionally, the research team emphasizes the importance of nearby, freely accessible recreational spaces as a component for social equity. Not everyone has the opportunity for regular trips to the mountains or elaborate vacations – but a short walk in the woods is feasible for many. The fact that even a short stay can be relaxing is an important message for prevention and health promotion.

Further Studies Planned by MedUni Vienna

Further studies will investigate the effects of longer stays, different forest types, and seasonal changes on mental well-being. Multisensory nature experiences – such as forest scents or bird songs – are also increasingly coming into focus. The study was supported by the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund and the FWF – Austrian Science Fund.

(Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.