Waterfront spaces are the best, and camping, farming, and gardening are the most beneficial.
A new study has found that spending time in nature can help improve symptoms in people with mental illness. This is according to a review by American researchers recently published in Ecopsychology, reported the health webzine Health Day on the 22nd (local time).
Researchers found that spending just 10 minutes in a city park can improve symptoms. The positive effects of nature have been shown to be particularly helpful for people with mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder.
The researchers analyzed 45 studies involving nearly 1,500 people diagnosed with mental illness. The studies varied in structure, with some participants spending short periods of time in city parks, while others went on multi-day wilderness adventures.
Regardless of how much time people spent in nature, they always experienced positive outcomes. Outdoor spaces with water, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans, showed the greatest positive effects, and the most beneficial types of activities were camping, farming, and gardening. “The results showed that all types of outdoor spaces had positive outcomes, supporting the importance of preserving green space in both natural and built environments,” said lead author Joanna Bettman, a professor at the University of Utah’s School of Social Work.
But hiking and kayaking are no substitute for seeking treatment from a qualified mental health professional, the researchers cautioned. “A short walk or camping trip should not necessarily be seen as a replacement for other therapeutic or clinical interventions,” Professor Bethmann said. “But we need to consider spending time in nature as an inexpensive and widely available resource that supports adult mental health and well-being.”
The paper can be found at the following link (
Source: kormedi.com
