Green spaces can boost your mental and physical health

The term ‘green spaces’ is a wonderful way to refer to the areas in cities that connect us with nature, such as parks, gardens and natural reserves. I’ve been reflecting a lot on green spaces lately: there’s a growing body of research highlighting just how vital these spaces are for our wellbeing. 

The importance of green space

When we talk about green spaces, we’re referring to areas of grass, trees and vibrant vegetation set aside for recreation and enjoyment amid the hustle and bustle of urban life. Governments around the globe are recognising their importance. 

Take the UK, for example, which has initiatives like the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) and the 25-Year Environment Plan, aiming to enhance access to green spaces. The EIP sets an inspiring goal for everyone to be within a 15-minute walk of a nature spot, and Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework provides excellent guidance for cities to weave these natural elements into their urban plans.

How green spaces boost our wellbeing

Research overwhelmingly shows that green spaces boost mental and physical health. Spending time in nature has been proven to lower cortisol levels and other stress hormones, while those who embrace green environments often show reduced activity in the amygdala, the part of the brain linked to fear and anxiety. Many studies, including the Urban Mind project by King’s College London, reveal a reduction in depression and anxiety associated with increased exposure to these green havens. A recent report published in The Lancet Planetary Health even reported a remarkable 20 per cent reduction in the risk of depression for those with access to green spaces!

But that’s just the beginning. Green spaces encourage people to be more physically active, which is fantastic news for overall health. Long-term exposure to these environments is associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases, improved immune function and even reduced rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes. 

Children in greener neighbourhoods demonstrate better lung function and fewer asthma incidents. Plus, a fascinating study published in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2023 found that living in greener areas is associated with longer telomeres (genetic structures regulating cell growth and senescence), which may be biological indicators of ageing. The evidence is mixed but, if this is the case, what an anti-ageing secret!

The benefits extend even further to our children. Studies show that cognitive development improves with increased green space around schools, boosting working memory and attention in students. Research in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health highlights that green spaces in school settings can positively influence academic outcomes. 

Considering all this, it’s easy to understand why you should spend more time in these rejuvenating environments. The science clearly indicates significant health improvements linked to green spaces. But have you ever wondered why exactly this connection exists?

Why nature boosts our wellbeing

Researchers suggest several overlapping mechanisms explaining why green spaces enhance health, including reducing stress (benefitting biological, psychological and social levels), increasing physical activity, improving air quality, strengthening social ties and even promoting healthy microbial exposure from dirt and nature – after all, a little dirt can be a great thing!

While I embrace the scientific insights regarding our connection to nature, I sense that a deeper, more profound aspect is at play here. Perhaps it stems from the idea that we were designed to thrive in the environment of a flourishing garden. According to scripture, when God created humanity, humankind was not placed in a barren landscape but rather in a rich, green setting:

“Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:8-9). This imagery speaks to our intrinsic affiliation with nature. The passage goes on to say: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (v15). This not only highlights our stewardship of the natural world but also reflects our vital need to engage with it. 

You were purposefully made to exist harmoniously with the beauty and abundance of the natural environment, spending time cultivating your relationship with God. This underscores my belief that we all flourish in such settings; they are not merely beneficial to your physical health but are essential to your overall wellbeing – emotionally, spiritually and psychologically. Gardens and green spaces nourish your soul, promote creativity and foster a sense of peace that can be hard to find elsewhere. Embracing these environments is a crucial part of your journey to wholeness and fulfilment.

Prioritising being in nature

So, do you live near a green space? How often do you take advantage of the powerful, positive effects of nature? Better yet, have you considered incorporating time spent with God into your visits to these areas? What an enriching way to nourish your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual life. 

I encourage you to weave spending time in nature into your daily routine. You’ll find that spending time in green spaces can be rejuvenating and transformative. Embrace the beauty and healing that time in nature has to offer; it truly is a gift worth exploring!

Vital for health

Green spaces were originally created by God for our wellbeing, as it says in Genesis 2:9: “The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.”

Green spaces are vital for enhancing physical and mental health, supporting biodiversity, improving air quality, reducing urban heat, promoting social connections and enriching overall quality of life. They are essential for creating healthy, resilient and liveable communities.

Scientific studies

To read studies and reports on the impact of green spaces mentioned in the article, use the following links:

‘Ambient greenness, access to local green spaces, and subsequent mental health: a 10-year longitudinal dynamic panel study of 2·3 million adults in Wales’ The Lancet Planetary Health: thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(23)00212-7/fulltext

Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework: designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/GreenInfrastructure/Home.aspx

‘School green space and its impact on academic performance: A systematic literature review’ International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16030429

The Environment Plan: gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-improvement-plan

The relationship between greenspace exposure and telomere length in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167452

The 25-Year Environment Plan: gov.uk/government/publications/25-year-environment-plan

For further reading you can look at these studies: 

Effects of nature (Greenspace) on cognitive functioning in school children and adolescents: a systematic review: rdcu.be/ekfHY

Green space exposure on depression and anxiety outcomes: A meta-analysis’ doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.116303

Neighborhood greenspace exposure as a protective factor in dementia risk among U.S. adults 75 years or older: a cohort study’ rdcu.be/ekfI3

Why diversity in nature could be the key to mental wellbeing: urbanmind.info/publications