A stroll in the woods is not just good for the physical health, but also for your mental wellbeing. This is the conclusion of a major study, performed by scientists at the British University of East Anglia.
If you routinely spend time in nature, you may reduce the risk of a host of diseases. Here is a list of diseases and illnesses, you are at a reduced risk of developing, simply by talking a walk in the forest:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Early birth - if you are pregnant
- Stress
- Increased blood pressure
- Untimely death
Besides the individual diseases, the study also proved that people living in areas, exposed to ‘green areas’ in their daily lives, are more likely to be overall healthy. Furthermore, they slept better and had a lower pulse while at rest.
The scientists have compared data from more than 140 previous studies – data which included more than 290 million people – to examine whether nature is beneficial to good health; the scientist discovered a clear correlation.
What are ‘green areas’?
The team of scientists examined health data from 20 different countries – including Germany, France, Great Britain, USA, Australia, and Japan – and compared the general health of people to the areas in which they lived.
The scientists defined ‘green areas’ as open, undeveloped country sides with natural flora or metropolitan areas with vegetation, such as parks. The ‘green areas’ were proved to affect the inhabitant’s health in a positive direction.
What is the cause?
The study couldn’t say for certain what the exact cause between nature and health is. However, the scientists indicate several plausible factors. First, people living near green areas have more options for physical exercise and socialisation. Furthermore, the exposure to different types of bacteria, extant in green areas, can be beneficial to the immune system and reduce the risk of inflammation.
In Japan they bath in the woods
Much of the available research in this area comes from Japan. This is because forest bathing is a popular form of therapy in the Asian country. Forest bathing focuses on spending time in the forest, either by sitting, laying, or walking around, with the goal of improving one’s health. Forest bathing is related to the Japanese tradition of mediation and mindfulness.
Nature is relaxing and stress relieving
A precious study by Japanese scientists from the Chiba University showed that walking in the forest lowers the blood pressure and reduces the body’s concentration of cortisol – a stress hormone. The study showed that when the test subject took walks in the forest, rather than the city, they had 15,8 percent less cortisol in their system. The scientists concluded that nature is relaxing and can help prevent stress.
