I have conducted research on ways to relieve stress. The ‘20-minute park effect’ says that spending at least 20 minutes in a natural environment, especially a park, can significantly reduce stress, enhance mood and lift spirits. For example, after a stressful workday, choose to go for a walk in a nearby park. With the sun setting and a gentle breeze, walk slowly along a tree-lined path, surrounded by birdsong and the rustling of leaves. Soon, you’ll find your mood becomes more relaxed and the tension and irritation from work gradually dissipates.

The ‘20-minute park effect’ originates from environmental psychology research, which emphasises the positive impact of the natural environment on human mental and physical health. This brief but frequent exposure to nature helps us recover from daily stress and enhances our overall health. Studies have shown that the green colours of natural environments can lower heart rate and blood pressure and reduce the production of stress hormones, such as serotonin and endorphins, while boosting mood and cognitive function. In just 20 minutes, your brain and body can feel the restorative effects of nature.

Twenty minutes is the minimum amount of time scientists have found to be enough for the brain to disengage from daily stress and begin to feel the natural recovery effects. It’s a quick and effective way to help busy modern people find inner peace.

How to practice：

Regular schedule: No matter how busy you are, try to arrange for at least 20 minutes a day to go for a walk in the nearest park or any natural environment.

Devote yourself: Try to put down your mobile phone and other electronic devices in the park and immerse yourself completely in nature.

Multi-sensory experience: Try to experience nature with as many senses as possible Listen to the birds, smell the flowers, touch the leaves, and observe the scenery around you.

Simply getting in touch with nature can have huge health benefits, and it can be the easiest and most effective way to relieve stress without too many limitations. Naturopathy is a wide range of techniques that utilise the properties of natural elements such as trees, greenery, nature sounds, fresh air, streams or starry skies to promote and improve the physical and mental health of human beings. The International Alliance for Nature and Forest Healing has shown in its research that people can relieve anxiety, depression and other negative emotions when they are in an environment close enough to nature.