The Greener the City, the Healthier the People, Study Finds
Putting back the trees and the meadows to the cities may sound like a bizarre idea, but it can actually help people achieve better health, physically and mentally.
In a review by Dr Richard Fuller of the National Environmental Research Program’s (NERP) Environmental Decisions Hub and The University of Queensland (UQ), it was shown that having nature close to home and work does not only boost the general health of people, but may also improve their ability to think, and lower the likelihood of violence and aggression in the community.
Conserving nature in the cities can be a very expensive idea as compared to conserving nature outside cities. But according to Dr Fuller, the benefits outweigh the risk. He said being close to nature has proven benefits to many aspects of life, including physical and mental health, social relationships, and even spiritual well-being. In his review, he cited several studies that point to the amazing health benefits of nature:
· In one study, scientists compared the effects of exercising in a green space and an urban environment. They found that stress is reduced when people exercised in forests or parks as compared to built up areas.
· Children who interacted with nature, in the form of gardening or park visitation had better self-esteem and improved mental-wellbeing than their peers who did not interact with nature.
· Nature interaction may also speed up recovery from an illness. Dr Fuller said patients in rooms with a view of trees generally spend less time in hospitals, require fewer painkillers and have fewer postsurgical complications than those whose rooms overlook a brick wall.
· In another study, participants were asked to proofread before and after spending time in the wilderness. Those who had nature tripping made fewer proofreading mistakes than those who spent their holidays elsewhere. A similar study showed that students who walked through a busy street performed poorly in repeating a sequence of numbers in a reverse order than those who walked through a tree-lined arboretum.
· Having green spaces in urban areas also encourage social interaction among people and fosters empowerment.
Restoring Nature in Urbanised Areas
Creating green spaces in backyards or somewhere close to homes, schools and even commercial establishments is one way to restore nature in cities. Whilst it isn’t clear yet what type of nature delivers these benefits – whether it’s a particular type of gardens, tress or animals, Dr Fuller said there is mounting evidence that having green spaces close to the people have a positive impact to their lives.
“This is a win-win situation for conservation and society - so we should hold on to our green spaces instead of clearing them for development”
Dr Fuller encourages people to plant trees and shrubs in their backyards to encourage biodiversity. He also recommends spending more time outdoors, particularly in green environments.
Dear Readers,
Do you have a garden at home? Can you share some of your positive experiences when interacting with nature?
Source of this article:
What are the Benefits of Interacting with Nature?
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