Exposure to natural environments is beneficial to one's health.
Nature's greenery is beloved by almost everyone, as it has been shown to improve mood, enhance the beauty of landscapes, and provide fresh air to breathe. A recent study conducted in Finland has confirmed the positive impact of green spaces on people's well-being.
The study published in the Occupational and Environmental Medicine journal suggests that regular visits to parks and gardens can potentially reduce the need for prescription drugs.
Study
A group of scientists from Finland asked around 16,000 Finnish people about the medicines they were taking, how many green and blue spaces they could see from their homes, and how often they went to those places.
Green spaces are places like parks, gardens, forests, cemeteries, and natural grasslands, while blue spaces are oceans, lakes, and rivers.
The scientists asked the participants how often they went to green or blue spaces to exercise or spend time between May and September. The answers ranged from “never” to “five or more times per week.”
Study Findings
Specifically, the study found that those who visited natural spaces three to four times a week were 33% less likely to take medication for mental health, 36% less likely to take medication for blood pressure, and 26% less likely to take medication for asthma compared to those who visited these spaces less than once a week.
Interestingly, the study found that those who visited natural spaces five or more times a week did not experience a significantly larger benefit than those who visited three to four times a week. However, visiting natural spaces frequently was still associated with a lower likelihood of taking medication for these health conditions.
In addition, the study found that higher rates of nature exposure were correlated with a lower likelihood of taking medication for blood pressure. Those who visited natural spaces five or more times a week had a 41% lower probability of taking blood pressure medication than those who visited these spaces less than once a week.
Study Findings
Spending time in nature can have positive effects on mental health, even when considering factors like income and education. However, being overweight can weaken the positive effects, since obesity is a risk factor for asthma.
It’s important to actually spend time outdoors, not just look at nature from inside. While this study doesn’t prove that nature causes better mental health, it suggests a possible link. It’s also harder for people with low incomes to access green spaces, which are important for health.
Cities should plan for more high-quality green spaces to promote better health.
Other Studies
Living near green spaces, such as parks and gardens, can be very beneficial for your health.
A study in 2016 looked at almost 100,000 women and found that those who lived near the most green spaces had a 12% lower risk of dying early and also had better mental health.
Another study in 2019 found similar results when looking at green spaces around the world. So, if you have access to green spaces where you live, it can be good for your health to spend time there.
Sources
- https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en
- https://oem.bmj.com/content/early/2023/01/05/oemed-2022-108491
- https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/17/visiting-green-spaces-deters-mental-health-drug-use-researchers-find
- https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1510363#tab2
- https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(19)30215-3/fulltext
- https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/21/health/green-spaces-life-expectancy-wellness-trnd/index.html
What are your thoughts on green spaces? Please share in the comments.
A version of this story originally appeared on Medium.
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