Yes, you can walk on a treadmill in the gym and you’ll still reap the physical rewards – although this is usually a solo endeavour. But for maximum mental health benefits, try to get outside. Even if you live in a city, there’s usually a park or some green space nearby that will suffice for a lunchtime stroll.

“Even as little as 10 minutes a day being active outdoors can have a positive impact on your health,” says Caven. “Researchers from the University of Essex found that spending as little as five minutes doing “green exercise” (activity in nature) was enough to boost study participants’ mood and self-esteem.”

And it’s not simply the well-known psychological benefits of an endorphin boost, as studies show that being outside in nature has more significant mental health benefits compared to working out in a gym or other indoor setting.

Why group walks in nature have such a powerful effect on our mental health