It's better to see the green | Cosmos

British researchers suggest that just seeing green spaces in your home can reduce cravings for alcohol, cigarettes and harmful foods.

This is based on a new online survey that explored relationships between various aspects of an individual's exposure to nature, their cravings, and potential negative emotions or feelings.

In particular, he measured the proportion of green spaces in each person's residential neighborhoods, the presence of green views from their homes, their access to a garden or subdivision, and the frequency with which they use public green spaces.

The researchers explain that the results show that having access to a garden or plot is associated with a lower frequency and power requirement, while residential views with more than 25% of green space elicit similar reactions .

And while previous research has suggested that playing sports on the outside is better for well-being than doing it indoors, this study suggests that reduced cravings occur at home. outside regardless of the level of physical activity.

"It was known for some time that being outdoors in nature was related to the well-being of a person, but the fact that there is a similar association with the desire to see simply green spaces adds a new dimension to previous research, "said Leanne Martin. , from the University of Plymouth.

"This is the first study to explore this idea, which could have many implications for public health programs and environmental protection in the future."

This certainly highlights the need to protect and invest in green spaces in cities to maximize the public health benefits that they can afford, the researchers added.

The study was conducted in partnership with the European Center for the Environment and Human Health of the University of Exeter, and the results are published in the journal Health and place.

"Craving contributes to a variety of health-damaging behaviors, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and poor eating habits," said Sabine Pahl, psychologist at Plymouth.

"In turn, these factors can contribute to some of the greatest global health problems of our time, including cancer, obesity and diabetes.

"Demonstrate that it is promising to show that insufficient need is linked to increased exposure to green spaces."