A new research has suggested that just five minutes of outdoor activity - such as exercising in a park, working in a backyard garden or walking on a nature trail - is good for the brain, with tangible benefits for mental health. It indicated that physical activity in natural areas, known as 'green' exercise, could lead to improvements in mental health. In the study, Jules Pretty and Jo Barton, Ph.D., of the University of Essex in the United Kingdom (U.K.), analyzed data on the physical activities of 1,252 people of different ages, genders and mental health status in the U.K. The scientists showed that just five minutes of exercise in a green nature setting could boost mood and self-esteem. The research appeared in a report in the ACS journal, Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T). ES&T also published a news article on the study.