In a world dominated by screens and stress, the simple act of stepping outside can be profoundly healing. The science is increasingly clear: time spent in nature doesn't just feel good—it measurably improves our mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Yet as the demand for natural experiences grows, the very spaces that provide these benefits are under threat.

This June, SIX is launching a nationwide outdoor campaign to spotlight the life-enhancing effects of time spent outside. We're inviting people across the country to visit local, state, and national parks and use the SIX app to capture and measure the emotional value of their experiences in real time. But our campaign isn't just about celebrating the great outdoors. It's also a call to action: to protect and prioritize access to these essential public resources.

The Science Is In: Nature Heals

A large body of research supports what Indigenous traditions and ancient cultures have always known—that nature is a powerful force for human flourishing.

• A 2019 study published in Scientific Reports found that spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature was associated with significantly higher levels of health and well-being.

• Just 20 minutes in nature can lower cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone, according to a 2019 study from the University of Michigan published in Frontiers in Psychology.

• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has reported associations between green space exposure and improved sleep, reduced risk of chronic diseases, and lower mortality rates.

• A review by the American Psychological Association highlights how natural environments reduce anxiety, restore attention, and boost mood.

The benefits aren’t just emotional or cognitive. Being in green spaces encourages physical activity, improves immune function, and reduces exposure to harmful air pollution. One fascinating 2020 study even found that spending time in biodiverse environments can positively influence the human microbiome, leading to stronger immune health.

National Parks: A Vital Yet Vulnerable Resource

America’s national parks have long served as public sanctuaries for nature connection. In 2024, U.S. national parks welcomed a record 331.8 million visits. People are turning to parks for everything from physical activity to spiritual restoration.

Yet, at the very moment we need these spaces most, they are at risk.

The proposed 2025 federal budget includes sweeping cuts to the National Park Service:

• $900 million in operational funding slashed

• $73 million less for park maintenance and infrastructure

• $77 million cut from recreation and preservation programs

• Over 1,500 employees slated for layoffs, limiting public access and support

These cuts don’t just threaten the visitor experience. They jeopardize the broader health ecosystem that parks support.

Public Health, Equity, and the Outdoors

The benefits of nature are not evenly distributed. Low-income communities and communities of color often have less access to safe, clean, and well-maintained green spaces.

Organizations like Outdoor Afro, Latino Outdoors, and Green Schoolyards America are leading efforts to close these gaps. The National Recreation and Park Association emphasizes that equitable park access is a public health imperative. A 2023 NRPA report found that 83% of U.S. adults say it is important that all people have access to quality parks, yet funding continues to fall short.

By investing in parks, we invest in preventive health, mental resilience, and community cohesion.

The SIX Outdoor Campaign: A Social Movement Backed by Data

This June, the SIX app is inviting people everywhere to go outside and measure how it feels to be there.

Through the app, users can:

• Log real-time emotional peaks called Key Moments

• Measure how calming or energizing their outdoor time is

• See a personalized Value Score that reflects the impact on their emotional fitness

These anonymized metrics will help create a first-of-its-kind dataset showing how different environments influence mental and emotional well-being. Whether you're hiking in the Badlands, walking your dog in a city park, or visiting a local greenway, your experience matters—and now, it can be measured.

Our goal? To produce evidence that supports the preservation and funding of public lands and to amplify the voices of those who benefit most from access to nature.

Join the Movement

🌿 Ready to Make an Impact?

Be part of our national Outdoor Campaign this June. Sign up below to receive campaign updates, resources, and opportunities to share your experience with the SIX community.

👉 Click here to sign up for the campaign

🎥 Watch the Campaign Video

Want to learn more? Check out our video below to see why your moments outdoors matter—and how your data can help protect the parks we all love.

We believe our parks aren’t just “nice to have”—they are need to have. They are medicine. They are infrastructure. And they are under threat.

Join us this June:

• Visit a local, state, or national park

• Use the SIX app to record your Key Moments

• Share your emotional fitness data to help us build the case for protecting nature

Let’s prove—together and with data—that nature matters.

Download the app, get outside, and share your Key Moments with the world.