Recent studies have shown that spending more time in nature leads to improved physical and mental health. Researchers discovered that even a five minute dose can markedly improve self esteem.
With more than one half of the world's population now living in urban rather than rural areas, it's ever more important for planners, developers, and government leaders to incorporate parks and other green spaces.
"Urban environments, with their traffic and harried pace, are a constant drain on our mental resources because we have to work to pay attention to a myriad of stimuli.
A connection with nature is vital to our psychological and physical health because it helps recharge our brains so that we're better able to cope with the stresses in life."
Even children with attention deficit disorder functioned better after a "green" activity (i.e. one that likely took place in a natural setting, such as fishing or soccer) than a "non-green" one (such as watching TV or playing video games).
Through interviews, researchers found that residents in public housing projects whose apartments were exposed to green spaces reported fewer aggressive conflicts, including domestic violence, than those who that had no views of green spaces. They also procrastinated less on major goals, such as finding a job or a new home, and were less likely to think their problems were unsolvable.
Having our capacities for attention restored, "allows us to be our best selves, ..and to think better."
Have your towns and cities provided adequate vision and allowance for green spaces?
Tags: environment, urban planning, wholistic health, wellness
