As is often the case, it’s worth taking trends like the 20-5-3 rule with a pinch of salt. Getting out into the total wilderness for three straight days might not be viable, logical or affordable for you, so don’t beat yourself up about it if you can’t do it.

“The rule isn’t perfect, but it’s a nudge in the right direction,” says Dr Lewis. “That’s why I see the 20-5-3 rule not as a rigid prescription, but as a useful cue to rewild the body and mind. For many, especially those dealing with burnout, mood dysregulation or low-grade chronic inflammation, these consistent doses of nature can act like a gentle reset.”

Health isn’t about ticking boxes, and what works for one person might not work for another. “The rule risks being overly rigid and doesn’t account for the complexity of individual needs, access to green space or how someone’s body and mind responds to nature,” says Dr Lewis. “For some, a short daily connection to a familiar outdoor space is far more impactful than a weekend away once a year. Wellbeing is dynamic. One person’s reset might be a 10-minute forest walk, while another’s might require three days off-grid to truly shift their physiology.”

Dr Khalid says that the most important thing to take from the 20-5-3 rule is to get out of our homes as much as possible. “We were never meant to live in single occupancy households, so whatever time you can afford, intentional commitments would show immense change to your wellbeing in general.”

If you enjoy structure, then something like the 20-5-3 rule might be what you need to immerse yourself more in nature. However, if the 20-5-3 rule doesn’t sound like it will fit into your lifestyle, Dr Lewis suggests building a ‘nature rhythm’ instead.

“Daily exposure – morning sunlight, walking barefoot on grass, a walk in a tree-lined street – can be incredibly effective when done with presence,” recommends Dr Lewis. “Layer in seasonal immersion, such as cold water swims, wild walks or even gardening, and you create an ecosystem of support for your biology. Start where you are, reconnect regularly and go deeper when you can. Nature meets us in different ways – what matters is that we keep returning to it.”

Could the 20-5-3 wellness rule be the answer to increased happiness this spring?