Research Impact: We investigated the impact of acute COVID-19 public health restrictions on time spent outside in April 2020 and quantified the association between outside time and both stress and positive mental health using secondary analysis of data from 3,291 participants of the COVID and Wellbeing Study. Overall, outside time was lower following COVID-19 restrictions. Participants who increased or maintained outside time following COVID-19 restrictions reported lower stress and higher positive mental health compared to those who decreased outside time. Findings support strategies to encourage and maintain time spent outside during pandemic-related changes to preserve and enhance mental health.
Cindrich S, Lansing J, Brower CS, McDowell CP, Herring MP, Meyer JD (2021). Associations between change in outside time pre- and post-COVID-19 public health restrictions and mental health: Short Report. Frontiers in Public Health. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.619129. (IF: 2.483; Q2 Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; R=71/193)
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