Nurtured by Nature

From a stroll through a city park to a day spent hiking in the wilderness, exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even upticks in empathy and cooperation. Most research so far has focused on green spaces such as parks and forests, and researchers are now also beginning to study the benefits of blue spaces, places with river and ocean views. But nature comes in all shapes and sizes, and psychological research is still fine-tuning our understanding of its potential benefits. In the process, scientists are charting a course for policymakers and the public to better tap into the healing powers of Mother Nature.

1.        Spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being.

2.        Feeling connected to nature can produce similar benefits to well-being, regardless of how much time one spends outdoors.

3.        Both green spaces and blue spaces (aquatic environments) produce well-being benefits. More remote and biodiverse spaces may be particularly helpful, though even urban parks and trees can lead to positive outcomes.

For more information, please click on the following link

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature

Mrs Annie Williams, College Counsellor