1. Spend 2+ hours each week outdoor
In a recent study of nearly 20,000 people in England who had reported how long they spent in natural environments in the past week, plus their health and well-being, researchers found that spending just 2 or more hours outdoors was associated with consistently higher levels of health and well-being (even after controlling for the health benefits that might otherwise be a byproduct of the physical activity that happened to be outdoors).
2. Surround yourself with plants
In a mega-study of more than 8 million people (!) across seven countries, a recent study conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization and published in Lancet Planet Health (that itself was a meta-study of 9 separate longitudinal studies over long periods of time) found that “when you are exposed to greenery or greenness around your home, your probability to die… is less compared to those with less green-ness around their home”, and specifically that for every 10% increase in vegetation within 1,600 feet of the home, the probability of death drops by 4%. Notably, the green space could be grass, trees, or gardens, public or private, and held up in every country measured.
3. Be kind to other people
Recent research from the book “The Five Side Effects Of Kindness” finds that being kind to another person, even just in a small way, appears not only to help others but to be good for our own health, slowing the body’s aging process by reducing free radicals and inflammation through the release of oxytocin. In addition, oxytocin triggers the release of nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels and reduces blood pressure (protecting the heart). And other research finds a link between compassion and activity of the vagus nerve, which regulates heart rate and controls inflammation levels. In fact, one study found that even just meditating on compassionate thoughts towards yourself and others (even people you dislike!) stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system and elevates the levels of dopamine (the feel-good hormone), resulting in increased positive feelings, well-being, and social connections.