Isn’t it interesting how we can feel better just by walking around in a park or going for a nature hike? Some studies are demonstrating that being close to trees can improve our mental and physical well-being.
Green Happiness
A study published this year out of Stanford University showed improved happiness and attentiveness after participants walked through a green portion of the city. Test subjects were compared to another group who walked the same distance devoid of vegetation and near heavy traffic. Interestingly, the people who walked near traffic reported lower happiness and attentiveness than their peers in the park.
Following this interesting study, scientists were determined to pinpoint why nature was affecting our mood. This time they decided to see what was going on in the brains of test subjects. The experiment was set up in the same manner; one group of volunteers walked through the park while the other set through a cityscape devoid of vegetation. In this test, however, brain scans were taken. The hypothesis was that test subjects with more blood-flow in the “negative” parts of their brain indicated an increase in negative thoughts. Whereas less blood-flow in the “negative” parts of the brain indicated calmness and positivity, basically “happiness”.
The results were interesting. The brains of volunteers in greenscapes were observed to be more “happy” than their counterparts navigating a concrete jungle.
Not convinced?
Other studies have found that neighborhoods with higher concentrations of trees have better air quality and lower rates of death from cardiovascular conditions. Studies have shown that patients with a nature view from their hospital windows often recover more quickly than those without such a view. Several hospitals are now incorporating “healing gardens” into their grounds. These natural settings in courtyards or on rooftops provide a serene escape from the stark visuals of a standard hospital setting. Patterns like these are exciting areas of study because they indicate new (and simple) solutions to problems like mental illness and rising stress levels.
These are just a few examples of why urban forests are so important. So next time you’re feeling a little blue, get out there and spend some time in the green.
Click here for more information on urban forests.
