How to improve health through green spaces
Green Living is the next “Big Bang” into healthy living. So why is it taking so long for society to jump on board and make it the only way of living?
The sustainable benefits of having green spaces in cities, communities and businesses affect mental health and physical health in positive ways for the long term. There are many simple ways to bring sustainable living right to your home.
Mental Health
When it comes to mental health, studies have shown that “interactions with green spaces are essential for mental well-being,” Baton.S (2007. Access to nature helps to reduce stress and improve concentration, among its many other benefits.
Urban landscape developers have taken a stronger interest in encouraging more “outdoor green” spaces such as parks, gardens, and landscape islands between traffic in the city.
Physical Health
When it comes to the physical benefits, green spaces are known to be the least expensive and most effective way of contributing to the healing process. An example that Dr. Barton stated in her lecture “The Healing Garden” is the sighting of green spaces decreased recovery time for patients. Studies show that “window views from a hospital room affect recovery time in surgical patients, whereas patients that have views of the exterior building are less likely to have a smoother recovery and are more aggressive and negative to nurses on duty. (Barton. S)
Green spaces also contribute to cooling systems and cleaning the majority of the pollution in our city. Pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide are naturally extracted from our air by trees. Trees alone provide 5-10 degrees of cooler, shaded areas versus areas that are exposed to the sun.
Social Benefits
Communities with green parks that are well maintained have shown to decrease crime rate versus an area that has a vandalized park and unkempt grass and gardens. Studies have shown green spaces in between traffic has reduced road rage and refocused concentration. It’s proven that commuters have less aggression on the road and are more focused while driving.
Incorporating a green area with plants and trees in any work environment encourages productivity. Having an indoor plant at the entrance of an office and in a break areas provides a relaxed atmosphere versus solid walls and furniture that may increase stress and anxiety.
Green spaces have continued to impact the human body. With the workplace being one of the places that we spend the most time in, green spaces and views of nature are ever more important to boost relaxation and improve mental focus. Even incorporating nature graphics into a workspace can have a similar therapeutic effect as viewing nature directly.
While work takes up much of our days, the next personal pleasure of many is shopping. Kathleen Wolf, of the University of Washington, studied the effects of green spaces in high traffic areas such as shopping malls and street boutiques. Her findings showed that street trees and other streetscapes in downtown shopping districts were rated as highly preferable in surveys conducted among visitors, making them feel more welcomed and willing to shop longer.
As society realizes that green spaces are an important aspect to improve life for all, the changes are often slow to take place. Thankfully the positive impact of more nature in our lives will gradually ripple into a bigger and a stronger effect that will teach and encourage all age groups, cultures, and races to come together to put the well-being of all first with green living.
