Aug 21, 2019

Green space boosts mental health

Kim Hart

Plenty of governments add green space to improve physical health. Few, however, consider the psychological benefits these spaces provide.

Driving the news: Research published in the latest issue of Science Advances explains the growing evidence that suggests contact with nature can improve psychological well-being and reduce risk factors for some types of mental illness.

For example, the value of mental health benefits was calculated to be 7% of the total economic benefits of London parks, amounting to £6.8 billion ($8.3 billion) over 30 years, per a report by VividEconomics.

But, but, but: Opportunities to experience nature are decreasing rapidly as more and more people move into cities around the globe.

"The repercussions of these choices on mental health may add up to be quite significant on a population level" over the coming decades, the researchers wrote.

Go deeper: L.A. hires first ever forest officer (Smart Cities Dive)

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Green space boosts mental health

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