13 FOCUS - FALL 2025 Outdoor recreation isn’t just a leisure activity — it’s essential for mental health, especially during times of crisis, according to new research from Oregon State University. The study, published in PLOS One and led by OSU’s HEAL Lab, analyzed how Americans coped with the mental health challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Surveying a nationally representative group of adults in early 2021, researchers found that people who reduced their time outdoors experienced higher levels of stress and depressive symptoms. In contrast, those who maintained or increased outdoor activity reported better overall wellbeing. “Outdoor recreation emerged as a powerful protective factor for mental health during the pandemic,” said Xiangyou “Sharon” Shen, lead author and assistant professor in the OSU College of Forestry. “We should think of parks and green spaces as essential infrastructure, on par with hospitals and pharmacies.” The most common activities were walking and gardening, with 68% of respondents staying close to home for recreation. Walking alone made up 57% of all outdoor activity, underscoring the importance of local parks, treelined streets and neighborhood greenways. However, the study also found troubling disparities: People of color and those facing financial strain were more likely to reduce outdoor activity, potentially worsening mental health gaps. Shen emphasized the need for future policies that keep outdoor spaces open and accessible during emergencies. “Our research shows that outdoor recreation isn’t some kind of bonus; it’s a public health necessity,” she said. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, when traditional mental health services were strained and social connections were limited, outdoor recreation served as a critical buffer against psychological distress. Policymakers who want to improve population mental health and advance health equity should prioritize outdoor recreation access with the same urgency they apply to other essential health services.” Colby Parkinson, now a doctoral student at Penn State, helped lead the research while completing his studies at Oregon State. The project also included OSU’s Megan MacDonald, Sam Logan and Lydia Gorrell, along with Kreg Lindberg of OSU-Cascades. Outdoor recreation is a public health necessity, OSU study finds
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