It’s
official
University
of East Anglia
Living
close to nature and spending time outside has significant and wide-ranging
health benefits - according to new research from the University of East Anglia.
A
new report published today reveals that exposure to greenspace reduces the risk
of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth,
stress, and high blood pressure.
Populations
with higher levels of greenspace exposure are also more likely to report good
overall health – according to global data involving more than 290 million
people.
Lead
author Caoimhe Twohig-Bennett, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said:
“Spending time in nature certainly makes us feel healthier, but until now the
impact on our long-term wellbeing hasn’t been fully understood.
“We
gathered evidence from over 140 studies involving more than 290 million people
to see whether nature really does provide a health boost.”
The research team studied data from 20 countries including the UK, the US, Spain, France, Germany, Australia and Japan – where Shinrin yoku or ‘forest bathing’ is already a popular practice.
‘Green
space’ was defined as open, undeveloped land with natural vegetation as well as
urban greenspaces, which included urban parks and street greenery.
The
team analysed how the health of people with little access to green spaces
compared to that of people with the highest amounts of exposure.
“We
found that spending time in, or living close to, natural green spaces is
associated with diverse and significant health benefits. It reduces the risk of
type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, and preterm birth,
and increases sleep duration.
“People
living closer to nature also had reduced diastolic blood pressure, heart rate
and stress. In fact, one of the really interesting things we found is that
exposure to greenspace significantly reduces people’s levels of salivary
cortisol – a physiological marker of stress.
“This
is really important because in the UK, 11.7 million working days are lost
annually due to stress, depression or anxiety.”
“Forest
bathing is already really popular as a therapy in Japan – with participants
spending time in the forest either sitting or lying down, or just walking
around. Our study shows that perhaps they have the right idea!
“Although
we have looked at a large body of research on the relationship between
greenspace and health, we don’t know exactly what it is that causes this
relationship.
“People
living near greenspace likely have more opportunities for physical activity and
socialising. Meanwhile, exposure to a diverse variety of bacteria present in
natural areas may also have benefits for the immune system and reduce
inflammation.
“Much
of the research from Japan suggests that phytoncides – organic compounds with
antibacterial properties – released by trees could explain the health-boosting
properties of forest bathing.”
Study
co-author Prof Andy Jones, also from UEA, said: “We often reach for medication
when we’re unwell but exposure to health-promoting environments is increasingly
recognised as both preventing and helping treat disease. Our study shows that
the size of these benefits can be enough to have a meaningful clinical impact.”
The
research team hope that their findings will prompt doctors and other healthcare
professionals to recommend that patients spend more time in greenspace and
natural areas.
Twohig-Bennett
said: “We hope that this research will inspire people to get outside more and
feel the health benefits for themselves. Hopefully our results will encourage
policymakers and town planners to invest in the creation, regeneration, and
maintenance of parks and greenspaces, particularly in urban residential areas
and deprived communities that could benefit the most.”
‘The
health benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of
greenspace exposure and health outcomes’ is published in the journal
Environmental Research on 6 July.
