Understanding the relationship between time spent outdoors, mental well-being and health-related behaviours in a Spanish sample: A real time smartphone-based study

Abstract

IntroductionCOVID-19 pandemic has affected our lifestyle and physical and mental well-being. We aimed to study the effect of being outdoors and mental well-being after the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methodsWe used smartphone based ecological momentary assessments (EMA) (Urban Mind app) to study the mental well-being of the Spanish general population. We collected socio-demographic data, past and current physical and mental health, and social and physical environment. Participants were recruited during 5 months (February to June 2021). Longitudinal associations between EMA and anxiety, depression, loneliness, tiredness, and happiness during the assessments were investigated using random intercept ordinal logistic regression models. Results274 subjects downloaded the app and completed the baseline assessment. 66 participants completed at least 50 % of the assessments. Being outdoors was related to a lower likelihood of anxiety (OR: 0.48, 95 %CI 0.34–0.66), depression (OR: 0.40, 95 %CI 0.28–0.56), tiredness (OR: 0.47, 95 %CI 0.35–0.63), and loneliness (OR: 0.59, 95 %CI 0.42–0.84), and a higher likelihood of happiness (OR: 2.14, 95 %CI 1.57–2.93). ConclusionsBeing outdoors is related to better mental health in the general population independently of other factors (baseline mental well-being or socio-demographic characteristics). Public policies should include measurements to promote outdoor spaces in urban settings.