Sir David Attenborough's '10 minute' tip to boost your health

Sir David Attenborough (Image: Getty)

Sir David Attenborough has offered one simple tip for those looking to reconnect with the natural world - and it could also enhance your wellbeing. The  99-year-old broadcaster revealed his insight during an appearance on Call Of The Wild, explaining that it requires just 10 minutes of your time.

"Sit down. Don’t move," he told podcast host Cel Spellman in 2021. "Keep quiet. Wait ten minutes. You’ll be very surprised if something pretty interesting didn’t happen.

"Doing that in a woodland, if you haven't done it, it's extraordinary. Don't get too impatient, either." Although Attenborough's approach may appear unrelated to health improvements, recent scientific findings indicate it could potentially be effective.

A 2020 study from Cornell University found that students who spend only 10 minutes daily in natural settings experience lower levels of physical and mental stress. Consequently, 'nature therapy' is increasingly being recognised as a viable alternative for treating anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

"It doesn't take much time for the positive benefits to kick in - we're talking 10 minutes outside in a space with nature," said Associate Professor Gen Meredith at the time, according to the Mirror. "We firmly believe that every student, no matter what subject or how high their workload, has that much discretionary time each day, or at least a few times per week."

She then added: "This is an opportunity to challenge our thinking around what nature can be. It is really all around us: trees, a planter with flowers, a grassy quad or a wooded area."

The 99-year-old naturalist shared his wisdom in an episode of Call Of The Wild (Image: Getty)

Reducing stress not only improves mental health but also correlates with lower blood pressure, better sleep quality, and possibly a stronger immune system. According to Professor Heather Eliassen of Harvard University, this may also reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.

Currently, cardiovascular disease is responsible for a quarter of all deaths in the UK, as per the British Heart Foundation, equating to one death every three minutes. Professor Eliassen said previously: "Evidence is also accumulating that exposure to green space is associated with lower total mortality."

In the interview with Pop Sugar, she then added: "Better mental health and lower risk of psychiatric disorders with more green space exposure has been observed for both children and adults."

Beyond his 10-minute nature practice, Attenborough follows a largely plant-based diet and has significantly reduced his intake of red meat over time. His dietary changes align with growing scientific concerns about the link between red meat consumption and serious health issues.

In a 2017 interview with The Sun, he reportedly said: "I have certainly changed my diet. Not in a great sort of dramatic way. But I don't think I've eaten red meat for months.

"I do eat cheese, I have to say, and I eat fish. But by and large, I've become much more vegetarian over the past few years than I thought I would ever be."