Eons ago there was a time when there was only greenery and nature in our way. The thick, lofty, green-glowing forests and a clear blue sky was a usual thing to witness. People had less stress levels, health disorders and had longer life span.
But then modernization took its wings and before anyone could blink, it had its roots strongly fit in. The greenery is lesser and people have ailments more than ever before. People also seem unaware of the importance of vegetation around for a healthy and more efficient life. Continuing reading to learn the long list of health benefits derived from nature.
Restoring the Damage
The upside is that we have the ability to restore the damage. The amount of nature surrounding your home is strongly correlated with your health and longevity, so you know what to do. Here are some important facts to support this idea.
A 2015 study, published in Scientific Reports, found that tress will help you live longer. The study had used earlier research which found that having a good look at natural scenery delivers both psychological and cognitive effects. The new research indicates that addition of trees to landscape have beneficial effects on your physical health as well.
The researchers found that the larger the number of trees on a street, the healthier the residents were. The residents not surrounded by trees were found to have health problems, cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
According to the researchers, having 10 or more trees per city block improved health. The study also found that the cardio-metabolic conditions of participants who lived near trees was much better. Living close to nature and practicing yoga, such as Sun Salutation, are a few great ways to improve your health.
The study authors also estimated that living on a city block with around 11 trees would, on the metabolic conditions, have the same protective health similar to an increase in salary of a 20,000 dollars or being 1-4 years younger.
Health Benefits Derived from Nature
Another study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that people living in greener areas with abundant vegetation around, have a lower risk of mortality. The attributing factors to this might be improved social engagement, mental health and physical activity, which come by merely living near green spaces.
The researchers found that people living in the greenest places, meaning, people who had the most of vegetation within around 800 feet from their home had around 12% lower mortality rate from any non-accidental cause, than those living in lesser green places. They found that the relationship was strongest for death with kidney disease, respiratory diseases and cancer. Also note, these results were the same irrespective of people’s income, smoking status and weight. It also did not change between urban and suburban locations.
Thus, it is clear that trees impart a better quality to an area. A study conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service in 2006, trees have the ability of improving ozone, reducing environmental pollution and removing unwanted and dangerous particles from air. This explains why trees have such a positive effect on one’s health.
The study authors also suggested that trees are naturally calming to men and that the trees’ presence encourage the residents to inculcate good health benefiting practices like exercise. Hence, these findings clearly show that planting more trees, especially in public areas, have incredible benefits. Finally, higher exposure to greenness inconsistently linked with lower levels of anxiety, depression and stress.
The “Biophilia” Theory
One of the theories that support ‘living around nature helps mental health’ is the “biophilia” theory, proposed by E.O.Wilson, a popular naturalist and biologist. It embodies the idea that since we human beings have evolved as species embedded in nature for countless years, something about nature contact still resonates with us. According to it something about contact with nature is restoring and soothing and hence, is good for mental health.
Howard Frumkin, dean of the school of public health at the University of Washington, said that if there is any medication that prolonged one’s life and addressed very different causes of disease, at no cost and no side effects, which would be the best medication of the decade and that, would be vitamin N, Nature.
Living Longer
Deeper look into why living around nature helps one live longer.
- Less pollution
Places with higher vegetation are not affiliated with much air pollution. Also, the green leaves fill the surrounding air with more of oxygen. Hence, a green area is always cleaner place to breathe and promotes a healthier life.
- More physical activity
It is true that people living in greener areas are physically more active than those who are not. Whether it is for gardening or just taking a walk, the greener places easily lure us outside than the concrete ones.
- Less noise
Noise pollution not only immensely impairs cognition and learning, but also impart high risks of increased mortality.
- More socialization
Probably it is because there are fewer people around, thus more time to build up a good social connection. It can also be because being out in nature encourages us to live in the present moment. Anyway around, it is clear that people living in green areas build stronger social connections, which are known to promote a longer and healthier life.
- Lower depression rates
Spending more time with nature helps in reducing one’s negative thoughts and soothes both mind and body in a meditative calmness. Thus, even helps control depression.
Conclusion
In summary, longevity is all about a balanced life. Strong social support, accompanied with moderate exercise and a wholesome diet are few factors that catalyze a healthier life. Therefore, it is critical to live near as much greenery and trees as possible. It is now not just a suggestion from those pages of studies, but a vital necessity. It is in our hands to get greenery around us and make the best use of it by spending our time around it.
Content Authored By: MavCure
I would love to move far out in the country! My husband and I try to go hiking every weekend, at least as much as we can.
That’s awesome! Soaking up the nature around you works too 🙂