A recent study strengthens the benefits of having short walks in nature every day as it is said to yield measurable mental and emotional benefits.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, unearthed that people who walked for 90 minutes in a rural or "natural area", as opposed to participants who walked in a high-traffic urban setting, had "decreased activity in a region of the brain associated with a key factor in depression".
Lead author Gregory Bratman, a graduate student in Stanford's Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources, explained that such findings demonstrate the impact of nature experience on an aspect of emotion regulation. And according to him, this is something that may help explain how nature makes us feel better.
"These results suggest that accessible natural areas may be vital for mental health in our rapidly urbanizing world," co-researcher Gretchen Daily, the Bing Professor in Environmental Science said. "Our findings can help inform the growing movement worldwide to make cities more livable, and to make nature more accessible to all who live in them."
Another co-author James Gross, a professor of psychology at Stanford added that the research findings are significant because consistency in terms of a causal link between increasing urbanization and increased rates of mental illness has been observed.
Likewise, Better Health Channel reported that walking is a great way to improve overall health. Just 30-90 minutes of walk every day can heighten cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. This activity also reduces your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and ever certain cancers.
According to Urban Forestry and Greening Research encounters with nearby nature help eliminate mental fatigue by relaxing and restoring the mind. Green spaces and nature-friendly surroundings are great settings for "cognitive respite" as they promote social interaction and provide calming effects. Being within the "green space" helps restore the mind's ability to focus - enhancing school and work performance and alleviating mental stress and illness.
Watch this video to further understand the study.
