Turns out ‘touching grass’ boosts body image and life satisfaction

May 16, 2026 - 03:03

A massive new study involving over 50,000 participants from 58 different countries has confirmed what many nature enthusiasts have long suspected: spending time outdoors, specifically touching plants and grass, is strongly linked to better body image and higher overall life satisfaction. The research, which included people aged 18 to 99, is being described as the largest multinational investigation of its kind ever conducted.

Researchers analyzed data from a diverse global sample, asking participants about their frequency of direct physical contact with nature, such as walking barefoot on grass or touching tree bark. The results showed a consistent pattern across all age groups and nationalities. People who reported regular, hands-on interaction with natural elements scored significantly higher on measures of body appreciation and were less likely to engage in negative self-comparison.

The study's authors suggest that direct contact with nature may help people feel more connected to their physical selves in a non-judgmental way. Instead of focusing on appearance, the experience shifts attention to what the body can do, like feeling the ground or the texture of a leaf. This sensory engagement appears to reduce the mental chatter associated with body dissatisfaction. The findings add to a growing body of evidence that simple, accessible activities like gardening or walking in a park can have profound psychological benefits, offering a low-cost tool for improving mental health on a global scale.