15‑Minute Exercise and 20‑Minute Forest Walk Both Sharply Reduce Stress

A study led by researchers from Asics, King's College London and the University of Vienna found that just 15 minutes of daily exercise improved participants' mental wellbeing by 21 % more than a week‑long wellness retreat. The trial involved 17 adults from the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia and was supported by a worldwide survey of 11,000 respondents, with 71 % saying daily movement helped them cope with stress better than a recent holiday.

Separately, researchers at the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna showed that a 20‑minute sit‑still walk in a forest lowered cortisol levels and enhanced mood compared with an equal time spent in an urban setting. The 2025 study in the journal *Forests* tested 66 healthy adults, who reported reduced negative feelings and lower stress hormone readings after the brief nature exposure.