There’s a new reason to get outside and connect with nature for a few minutes. A new study has found that just a small amount of outdoor exercise can improve mood and self-esteem.

According to Reuters, the study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology is the first to quantify just how much "green time" is needed in order to get results.

Researchers analyzed data from 1,252 people of different ages, genders and mental health status taken from 10 existing studies in Britain. They analyzed the subjects’ "green activities" such as walking, gardening, cycling, fishing, boating, horse riding and farming.

Their findings suggest just five minutes of moderate outdoor exercise can reap benefits.

Researchers say the greatest health changes occurred in the young and the mentally ill, although people of all ages and social groups benefited from outdoor time.

"We believe that there would be a large potential benefit to individuals, society and to the costs of the health service if all groups of people were to self-medicate more with green exercise," the study’s authors wrote.

Natural environments like parks were found to have a positive impact on the subjects, however green areas with water appeared to have a greater effect.