Hug two trees and see me in the morning

"Get out of the office and go to a park." Now there's a prescription I like!

A series of articles in the June 2010 issue of the Journal of Environmental Psychology (JEP) all agreed that being in touch with nature makes people feel more alive and full of vitality, even more than can be attributed to simply the physical activity involved.

"Nature is fuel for the soul," said Richard Ryan, lead author and a professor of psychology at the University of Rochester. "Often when we feel depleted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized is to connect with nature."

A "nature fix" helps both our mental and physical health. "Research has shown that people with a greater sense of vitality don't just have more energy for things they want to do, they are also more resilient to physical illnesses. One of the pathways to health may be to spend more time in natural settings," Ryan added.

This isn't the first time that research has shown being in nature can increase our energy and heighten our sense of well-being. Studies have already proven that people on wilderness excursions report feeling more alive and that even just recalling the outdoor experiences increased their feelings of happiness and health.

Other research showed that getting out into a natural environment helps ward off feelings of exhaustion -- 90% of people studied experienced increased energy when placed in outdoor activities.

In the JEP study, researchers found that being outside in nature for just 20 minutes was enough to significantly boost vitality levels.

The paper built on earlier research by Ryan, Netta Weinstein, a psychologist at the University of Hamburg, Germany, and others showing that people are more caring and generous when exposed to nature. "We have a natural connection with living things," said Ryan. "Nature is something within which we flourish, so having it be more a part of our lives is critical, especially when we live and work in built environments."

So, next time you're feeling droopy, don't reach for the coffee pot. Find the nearest park and commune with nature.