For some time now, scientists have examined the idea that exposure to nature can be “prescribed” as an antidote to stress, in much the same way as medication, yoga or other mainstream solutions.

The impact of greenery is so strong that studies show living close to a park or a green space in cities alone is enough to lower stress levels; regardless of whether people actually use these places. Other research indicates that exposing patients to scenes of nature such as forests or waterfalls can help promote healing in hospitals.

This paper from scientists at Chiba University in Japan demonstrates that 15 minutes walking in a forest brings about a set of powerful physiological responses, including a drop in heart rate and blood pressure, and an increased sensation of vigour.

Incidental encounters with nature have been shown to do everything from helping us to focus better to enhancing creativity. It’s not known exactly why this is, but researchers speculate that it chimes with an outdoor hunter-gatherer lifestyle from which we evolved, but have long since become separated from.

Yet still, despite the mountain of evidence, we tend to underestimate how happy nature can make us; looking instead to more tangible activities.

A solution, says Campbell, is to consciously schedule nature into your day. Hold outdoor meetings, or pop to the park whenever you can; whether that’s on your lunch break, or via a walk to work.

Then when you’re there, she says, make the most of it: submerse yourself fully in the moment and pay attention to the details of the landscape, uninterrupted by the calls of modern-day life.

This is the quickest way to de-stress – and it's free