07/10/2025
Ottawa, Ontario — Tuesday October 7, 2025
1.2 million children and adolescents in Canada are affected by mental illness, and researchers are exploring simple ways to support their well-being. A new Canadian study led by JP Chaput, Gary Goldfield, and Mark Tremblay analyzed national survey data from over 10,000 teens to examine the impact of outdoor physical activity on mental health.
The team found that teens who spend more time being physically active outdoors report feeling happier, more satisfied with their lives, and in better mental health overall.
“We know that physical activity benefits mental health, but this study shows that where kids are active really matters,” says Dr. Chaput. “Spending active time outdoors, even just one hour a day, is associated with feeling happier and more satisfied with life. That’s an important message for families, schools, and communities seeking simple ways to support young people’s well-being.”
Those who engaged in at least 14 hours per week of outdoor activity – about two hours a day – had the strongest benefits. Outdoor time was not linked to lower anxiety or depression symptoms, but the study demonstrated a boost in happiness and life satisfaction. These findings suggest that encouraging young people to be active outdoors could be a simple but powerful way to support their well-being and should be considered in future public health recommendations.