Living near a forest helps children’s mental health and development

Humans evolved in nature. In fact, we are part of nature, not separated from it despite our modern urban lifestyles which give a feeling of artificial separation. It makes sense that people have an inherent need to connect with nature, and disrupting that connection could cause all kinds of problems. A new study has found that children living near forests are less at risk for emotional and behavioral problems, which seems to support this notion.

In what may very well be the largest study of its kind, researchers at University College London and Imperial College London analyzed longitudinal data on 3,568 children and adolescents aged nine to fifteen. Participants studied at 31 schools across London during a key period in their lives for their mental and emotional development.

The researchers measured the influence that different types of environments can have on the cognitive development, mental health and general well-being of students. These environments were divided into green spaces (still separated into meadows and woods) and blue spaces (rivers, lakes and sea). Satellite data allowed researchers to calculate the daily exposure rate to each of these environments within 50 meters, 100 meters, 250 meters and 500 meters of the children’s home and school.

After adjusting for variables such as age, ethnicity, sex, parents’ occupation, and education (public or private), the researchers observed a positive association between exposure to the forest and higher scores. high for cognitive development, as well as a risk of emotional and behavioral problems over a two-year period.

A similar but weaker effect was observed for green spaces. However, this was not the case for blue spaces, although the researchers note that this may be due to the generally poor access to blue spaces across London.

“Previous studies have found positive associations between exposure to nature in urban settings, cognitive development and mental health. It is unclear why these health benefits are being received, especially among adolescents, ”said lead author Mikaël Maes, a PhD. student at University College London.

“These findings contribute to our understanding of the types of natural environment as an important protective factor for the cognitive development and mental health of an adolescent and suggest that not all types of environment may contribute equally to these. health benefits. “

These findings may help planning decisions to improve access to natural ecosystems to maximize benefits related to cognitive development and mental health.

The results were published in the journal Sustainability of nature.

Nature is good for body and soul

This is just the most recent study in a body of evidence showing that exposure to nature has significant and lasting positive effects on the mental health of children and adults. Previously, a 2019 study found that children with a stronger connection to nature had less distress and hyperactivity, as well as less behavioral and emotional difficulties and improved prosocial behavior. Even something as simple as taking a walk in nature can do wonders for your mental health, as a 2014 study can attest. If you can’t access nature, listen to recordings of nature sounds like this. that the chirping of birds in canopies and the babbling of water in a stream can still provide significant health benefits.

And perhaps there has never been stronger evidence of the connection between nature and mental health than during this pandemic. The rules of social distancing and the experience of depressing lockdowns prompted people to spend more time in nature, improving their well-being.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all children have green spaces within 300 meters (1,000 feet) of their homes for recreation and play.