David Suzuki’s 30×30 Challenge Participants Almost Doubled Their Time in Nature
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Canada is a happier place today, thanks to David Suzuki.
More than 15,000 Canadians and over 1,000 workplaces and schools participated in the David Suzuki Foundation's 30×30 Nature Challenge during May. The third annual campaign challenged participants to commit to getting out into nature for 30 minutes a day for 30 consecutive days.
The Foundation has released results from research into the impacts the challenge had on participants' well-being and connection to nature, conducted by Trent University Researcher Dr Elizabeth Nisbet.
"Participants in the 30×30 Nature Challenge doubled their time spent in nature during the month - being active as well as relaxing", Nisbet said. “Participants also reduced the amount of screen time spent texting, emailing or on the internet, and boosted their happiness.
"They reported significant improvements in their moods, feeling more vitality and energy, with large increases in nature-specific emotions like awe, curiosity and fascination."
Despite starting the challenge with a strong sense of connection with nature, many participants increased their 'nature relatedness', in particular, identification with the natural world and their desire to spend time in nature, the study found. The research also demonstrated that as participants' nature time increased, so did their personal well-being.
"We are excited that thousands of Canadians added a daily dose of nature to their busy lives this spring," said spokesperson Aryne Sheppard of the David Suzuki Foundation. "This research confirms that adding green time to your routine is a simple way to boost happiness and well-being."