LONDON — An overwhelming majority of Britons believe in the healing power of nature, with 77% saying it should be prescribed as treatment for mental health, according to a new national survey by Country Living UK.
The 2025 poll, conducted to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, found that nearly nine in 10 respondents (85%) believe nature contributes to their mental wellbeing, with three in four (75%) saying it plays a significant role in improving their mental health. For a quarter of the population, nature is considered “essential” to their emotional wellness.
The findings are part of Country Living’s “My Green & Happy Space” campaign, developed in partnership with Horatio’s Garden — a charity that creates therapeutic gardens in NHS spinal injury centres across the UK.
Nature as Therapy
Despite the strong emotional connection to the outdoors, only 64% of those surveyed rated their current mental health as “good.” Alarmingly, 16% reported that their mental wellbeing has declined over the past year.
In response, many are turning to nature for solace. The survey revealed that 89% actively seek out green spaces to improve their mood, and 58% reported physical health benefits from being outdoors. Among the most commonly cited psychological advantages were increased relaxation (65%), improved mood (64%), greater happiness (59%), lower stress levels (53%), and a general sense of vitality (47%).
Nature proved to be a more popular coping strategy than traditional stress-relief methods such as going to the gym, listening to music, reading, or taking a bath. Walking was ranked as the most relaxing outdoor activity, with 92% reporting a mood boost from it. Gardening came in second, followed by cycling and birdwatching.
Britain’s Most Soothing Landscapes
When asked about the most uplifting outdoor settings, respondents named the Lake District as the UK’s top “feel-good” landscape. The Yorkshire Dales and the Scottish Highlands (often referred to as Wild Scotland) rounded out the top three.
Gardens were highlighted as the most beneficial outdoor space for mental health, with 53% of respondents placing them above open countryside (48%) and beaches (47%). Nearly 90% of participants reported that spending time in a garden positively affects their mental wellbeing. In fact, two in three actively seek out public or private gardens to visit for emotional restoration.
Among flowers, the rose was voted the UK’s top “feel-good” bloom, followed by the daffodil and the sunflower.
Key Survey Findings:
- 85% say nature contributes to their mental wellbeing
- 77% believe nature should be prescribed as mental health treatment
- 75% view nature as essential to improving mental health
- 89% actively seek green spaces to enhance wellbeing
- Walking, gardening, and birdwatching ranked highest for mood improvement
- Gardens, countryside, and beaches are the top-rated therapeutic landscapes
- The Lake District is named the UK’s most uplifting region
- The rose is crowned the UK’s top mood-boosting flower
- 9 in 10 say garden time enhances their mental health
As interest in natural therapies continues to grow, the survey underscores a national sentiment: reconnecting with nature may be more than a pastime — it may be part of the prescription for better mental health.
