We must consider getting back into green spaces to restore
our wellness. The stressors of daily life -
whether financial, social, racial or otherwise
- take a toll on us individually and as a
people.
Contact with natural landscapes and green spaces has a
restorative effect on our mental and social
health and our immune system. Whether we
walk or hike in the forest or park, join a
community garden and grow greens and okra like
grandma and them used to do, or other
activities, we will boost our mental health
and physical well-being in the process.
And most of all, the data back it up.
Studies have shown that access to green spaces
has a positive mental and physical impact on
us and our children, and therefore our quality
of life. Particularly in urban areas, where
access to nature may be limited, being in
green spaces means less
anxiety and depression and better sleep, a greater
appreciation of life and an ability to deal
with problems, healthier social interactions and
less loneliness, and a greater sense of
community.
According to the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, contact with nature is associated
with better
immune functioning and improved health for people
with cardiovascular disease and other
ailments.
Children
and adolescents with exposure to nature benefit
from increased physical activity and fewer
health problems, a more positive mood and
emotions, and lower psychological stress. And
a study from the journal Nature
Sustainability found that children ages 9-15 in
an urban environment who live near or have
sustained access to woodlands gain a positive
impact on their cognitive development and
mental health.
The ecosystems of biodiverse urban green spaces also
protect us from noise pollution and air
pollution, and trees provide shade and guard against heat stress.
And along with improved psychological
well-being, greener environments can bring
reduced crime.
In addition, water, the beach and the
ocean benefit our mental health, body and
spirit. The beach and the ocean actually heal
our brains, and staring at the ocean puts us at
ease and in a “mild meditative
state.” Living
near the water relieves depression and
insomnia, encourages physical activity, boosts
creativity and gives us time to reflect. The
vitamin D of the sun is good for our health,
and the sand and saltwater make
our skin healthier.
Sadly, 70 percent of low-income areas do not have green
spaces, and Black communities and other
communities of color are three
times as likely to live in areas lacking nature. Environmental
gentrification refers to a situation when only people of means can
enjoy greener environments. Under the push for
urban sustainability - which is a good thing -
property values are rising and driving out
low-income folks - which is not a good thing.
Our environment shapes our behavior. And making sure
everyone has access to natural environments is
a requirement, not something we have the
luxury of opting out. Green will help us heal,
and wherever we live, let’s ensure our
communities have the parks, forests, fields,
hiking trails and coastlines we need to give
us peace of mind.
