Extensive new study confirms significant benefits to nature's health

Worldwide data involving more than 290 million people confirm what we have been saying for years: The weather outside could save your life

Most of us know that hiking in the woods or walking around the park makes us feel good. Until I start researching the physical benefits of time spent outdoors, I thought it was just because the green spaces were muddling and making happy, embarrassing dances – so, of course, that makes me feel good. But since the development and spread of shinrin-yoku ("swimming in the forest") in Japan, science has increasingly supported all the positive ways in which the body responds to nature.

And now, a team of researchers at the University of East Anglia has studied data from 20 countries – including the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, France, Germany, Australia and Japan – to confirm that "live near nature and spend time outside"

The report concludes that exposure to green spaces – defined as "undeveloped open land with natural vegetation and urban green spaces, including urban parks and green streets" – reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, premature birth, stress and high blood pressure, among other benefits.

"Spending time in nature certainly gives us the impression that it does not, but until now, the impact on our long-term well-being has not been fully understood, "says lead author Caoimhe Twohig-Bennett, of the Norwich Medical School of UEA. "We have collected evidence from over 140 studies involving more than 290 million people to see if nature really provides a health boost."

"We found that spending time in natural green spaces," adds Twohig-Bennett. "It reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death and premature labor, and increases sleep time. "

" People living near nature also have reduced diastolic blood pressure. One of the really interesting things we have seen is that exposure to green spaces significantly reduces salivary cortisol levels – a physiological marker of stress.

Noting the abundance of stress in the UK (11.7 million lost workdays each year). , depression or anxiety), these results could have a great deal of impact.

Researchers do not know exactly how nature causes these benefits; there are a number of ideas. Living near a green space can offer more opportunities for physical activity and socialization, for example. Meanwhile, nature can provide exposure to healthy bacteria that inspire benefits to the immune system and reduce inflammation.

In Japan, researchers have discovered that respiratory phytoncids like α-pinene and limonene, which are volatile antimicrobials, are organic compounds emitted by trees. Yay, trees, thank you!

Twohig-Bennett says they hope the research will inspire people to spend more time outdoors, and even inspire the design and planning that makes nature more accessible.

We hope that our results will encourage policymakers and planners to invest in the creation, regeneration and maintenance of parks and green spaces, particularly in urban residential areas and disadvantaged communities that could benefit population. most. "

Seriously, even street trees help.Other research has shown that only points out that nature increases overall happiness and well-being. take medicine for all kinds of problems and diseases, when nature is all around us, we are just waiting to give help.We would be a very wise species if we started to give nature its due, before it is too late.

"The Benefits of the Great Air for Health: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis of Exposure and Health Outcomes Review Environmental Research.