How might contact with nature promote… | Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives

How might contact with nature promote human health? Promising mechanisms and a possible central pathway

Physical activity is not consistently related to greener environments. The conceptualization of health-promoting greenspaces should center at least as much on oases as on ball fields, and on greenspaces for walking and quiet contemplations as much as on recreation areas. These oases should incorporate plants, especially trees, soil and moving water, and should be designed to induce feelings of deep relazation, awe and vitality.

Kuo, M.

Frontiers in Psycohology, Vol. 6, Aug. 2015

Time spent in and around nature, including tree-lined streets, is consistently linked to objective long-terms health outcomes. The less green a person's surroundings, the higher their risk of morbidity and mortality - even when controlling for socioeconomic status and other possible confounding variables.