Can Nature help manage the physical consequences of chronic diseases?

Chronic diseases, which affect the majority of older adults in Canada, often lead to fatigue, reduced mobility, loss of strength and endurance, and chronic pain—ultimately diminishing quality of life. Growing research shows that contact and engagement with nature can benefit most aspects of health, from mental and social well-being to cognitive function and physiological balance. These benefits may arise through multisensory engagement with natural environments, exposure to plant compounds, relaxation and promotion of social connection and physical activity.

In a new systematic review of eight studies, we examined how nature-based interventions (NBIs)—including forest bathing, forest walks, gardening, and outdoor exercise—affect people living with chronic diseases impacting their physical function. The studies covered a variety of populations, including people living with cancer, cancer survivors, individuals living with chronic pain, people with cardiovascular disease, and women with long COVID.

The findings are encouraging but uneven across health domains. Physical outcomes such as endurance, mobility, flexibility, and fatigue improved in several studies, but these measures were not consistently assessed across all trials, making the evidence base less robust. In contrast, psychosocial and physiological benefits were reported in nearly all studies. Participants described reduced anxiety, depression, stress, and pain intensity, alongside improved mood, life satisfaction, and social connection. Physiologically, NBIs were also linked to stronger immune function, reduced inflammation, and healthier cardiovascular responses.

This suggests that while nature shows potential to improve physical function, the current evidence is more solid when it comes to its psychosocial and physiological effects. More research is needed with systematic physical measures to clarify these impacts, but the overall message remains clear: nature can be a valuable, low-cost, and sustainable ally in managing chronic diseases.