Why getting outside could be Seattle's best stress reliever
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If you're exhausted by the state of the world, stressed out or feeling isolated from too much screen time, getting outside could help clear the brain fog and lift your spirits.
Why it matters: A growing body of research suggests spending time in nature may improve mental well-being, from easing stress and lifting moods to reducing feelings of loneliness.
State of play: Researchers at Washington State University found time spent near parks was linked to lower stress levels.
- In a separate study, co-authored by a University of Washington researcher this year, people reported feeling mentally restored after visiting beaches, lakes, rivers and other waterside settings
- Yet another recent study indicates spending time in nature improves quality of life and fights loneliness — even if you go it alone.
By the numbers: Nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults say money and the nation's future are a significant source of stress, while about 1 in 5 Americans reports feeling lonely for much of the day, according to recent surveys.
What they found: Nature's benefits may go beyond improving moods, with some researchers documenting measurable physical impacts.
- Researchers in one 2025 study compared the stress hormones and immune responses of people who took a leisurely 90-minute walk through a forest versus those who walked in an urban setting.
- Forest walkers showed lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, improved moods and increased levels of an antibody involved in immune defense.
- Even 15-minute forest walks were associated with less tension, anxiety, fatigue, anger and confusion compared with urban walks, separate research shows.
Worth noting: Surprisingly, it's natural materials such as wood and stone — not plants or natural light — that were linked to lower stress levels and greater creativity in indoor spaces, per a June study.
What to do: You don't have to climb a mountain or disappear into the wilderness to give nature a try. Even a short visit to a neighborhood park can be a place to start.
- Leave the scrolling behind: Walk slowly, sit beneath a tree or simply listen to the birds. The idea is to pay attention to your surroundings rather than count steps or cover miles.
- Try forest bathing, a Japanese practice of slowing down and taking in the sights, sounds and smells of nature. The University of Washington Botanic Gardens offers a free self-guided experience with audio instructions and a map.
We like: Close to home, try the north waterfront trail, Discovery Park, Seward Park, Washington Park Arboretum, Lincoln Park and Kubota Garden for mini getaways, or Twin Falls near North Bend for a longer trip.
The bottom line: Turns out, science backs the internet's advice to "touch grass."