Going outdoors was examined for links with mental health during the UK COVID-19 lockdown

A Scientific Reports article investigated longitudinal associations between changes in going outdoors and mental health and wellbeing across the first UK COVID-19 lockdown (23 March–11 May 2020), and whether household and neighbourhood factors moderated those associations.

The study looked at whether changes in going outdoors were linked with mental health and wellbeing during the UK’s first COVID-19 lockdown and why that question matters. It places this question against prior research showing worse mental health during lockdowns and earlier evidence that time spent outdoors or in green space is associated with better mood and lower stress. The authors note that much pre-pandemic evidence and early pandemic work were cross-sectional or small, so a longitudinal analysis with a larger sample was needed. The study also examined whether household and neighbourhood differences changed the relationship between outdoor time and mental wellbeing. Key details: - The research period covered the first UK national lockdown from 23 March to 11 May 2020. - The analysis was designed as a longitudinal investigation of changes in going outdoors and concurrent measures of mental health and wellbeing. - The study specifically explored moderation by household and neighbourhood factors, noting uneven access to private outdoor space and green environments across income and ethnic groups. - The authors reference relevance to policy discussions, including the UK government’s pilot work on Green Social Prescribing and nature-based interventions. Summary: The article frames a longitudinal study aimed at clarifying associations between going outdoors and mental health during the first UK lockdown and at assessing whether household or neighbourhood context altered those links. Undetermined at this time.