New research from England’s University of  Essex finds that just five minutes of “green exercise”—cycling, gardening, fishing—can boost your mood and self-esteem. The study aligns with previous research showing that outdoor walks battle depression better than mall or treadmill walks.  Other benefits of outdoor activity include greater exposure to health-promoting vitamin D (from the sun), enhanced cognitive functioning, and increased compassion (test subjects were more considerate after viewing images of nature). More time outside could also mean spending less time in a doctor’s office. On a deeper level, nature provides the sense that we are all part of something greater than ourselves. When we connect with the earth, we connect with our place in the universe. We can realize that we’re connected to other forms…