Nature-Rich Environments Linked to Lasting Mental Health Benefits, Survey Finds

Natural Environments Linked to Lasting Mental Health Benefits
Natural Environments Linked to Lasting Mental Health Benefits. Credit | Getty images

United States – As per recent survey, there is a strong correlation between living in or around nature-rich areas allied with the better health of the mental type as against the species-poor suburbs landscapes. Studies that were conducted by scientists from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience at King’s College London found that surrounding oneself with the abundance of fauna and flora can manifest itself in the form of long-term benefits for mental health, as reported by HealthDay.

Urban Planning Strategies for Happiness

The study proposes that cities could enhance residents’ happiness by prioritizing the construction of parks that mimic the biodiversity of natural ecosystems. Instead of conventional green spaces with manicured lawns, incorporating trees, plants, and water features could maximize the mental health benefits of urban environments.

“Our results highlight that by protecting and promoting natural diversity, we can maximize the benefits of nature for mental well-being,” said study author Ryan Hammoud, a research assistant with King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience.

“Our results suggest that biodiversity is critical not only for the health of our natural environments but also for the mental well-being of the people who live in these environments,” Mechelli said in a college news release. “It is time to recognize that biodiversity brings co-benefits for planetary and human health and needs to be considered vital infrastructure within our cities.”

Quantifying Nature’s Impact on Mental Health

By analyzing data from a survey where 2,000 participants reported their mental health three times daily for two weeks, researchers concluded that the diversity of nearby natural elements significantly influences psychological well-being. Nearly one-fourth of nature’s positive effect on mental health was attributed to the presence of trees, plants, birds, and water in the environment, as reported by HealthDay.

Addressing Global Biodiversity Challenges

Putting forward the connectedness of human welfare and biodiversity, these studies show how such policies need to promote effective ways of conserving the natural environment and its constituencies. The biodiversity crisis adds to the woes of mental well-being and therefore calls for urgent action to save planet’s ecological balance as well as ours.