Sure, nature is pretty and nice to look at…but did you know that nature can benefit your physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being? You may want to linger longer in your garden, the park, or on a city street lined with lots of trees because studies show a strong correlation between spending time in nature, or green spaces, and improvements and protective benefits to your health.
Mentally and emotionally, time spent in nature is positively linked to better emotional regulation, improved mood, reduced perceived stress levels, improved ADHD symptoms, decreased anxiety, rumination, and depressive symptoms, and is protective of depression risk. Being outdoors in any setting increases opportunities for social interaction and enhances feelings of belonging and of community connections. This has been linked to better mental health and can help prevent cognitive decline as we age.
Time in nature is statistically correlated with improvements in physical health. Bodies of water produce negative ions which have a relaxing effect on the body and mind. Trees and plants produce and emit phytoncides (essential oils) to repel bugs and germs. These compounds have been studied and shown to increase immune cell number and function (Natural Killer or NK cells), have a positive impact on endocrine function (lower fasting blood sugar levels in adults with T2DM as well as healthy adults), and have anti-inflammatory effects. Also linked are reduction in stress hormones, improved sleep and endocrine function, lower blood pressure levels, and lower heart rates. Studies have shown that experiencing nature is also correlated with lower rates of morbidity and mortality after having a stroke, improved recovery from surgery, lower rates of pre-term birth, and improved birth-weight rates.
Nature, or green space, is any space that has vegetation, including backyards with grass, bushes, trees and plants, a private garden, parks, public gardens, forests, and meadows. If you live in an urban area and have limited access to any of these, any green space will do – a small city park, a tree-lined street, a plant wall in a restaurant or building, or one that you create in your own space like these: DIY Indoor Living Plant Wall – A Life Unfolding, How to Create a Living Wall Indoors | Window World.
Other benefits of nature and green spaces are reduced emissions, improvement in asthma symptoms, reduced noise pollution, and increased opportunities for physical activity, which is linked to lower body weight, and improved cardiovascular and overall health.
How much time spent in nature does it take to benefit your health? Any amount is good, and studies show that 5 or more hours per week in any green setting can maximize the beneficial effects. Can’t get outside? If you can find a window with a view of any nature, you can reap some of the rewards as well.
Go Green!
Resources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC.8125471/
Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence – PMC
All Blogs are written by Professionals in the fields of Nutrition, Human Development and Diabetes.