A regular dose of nature could boost mental health during the pandemic



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For their research, the scientists asked 3,000 adults in Tokyo, Japan to fill out an online questionnaire. The aim was to find out if there was any link between five aspects of mental health – depression, life satisfaction, subjective happiness, self-esteem and loneliness – and two measures of the experience of nature – frequency of use of green space and view of green through windows. home.

The study found that more frequent use of green space and the existence of green windows from people’s homes were associated with increased levels of self-esteem, life satisfaction and subjective happiness, not to mention decreased levels of depression. and loneliness.

“Our findings suggest that nearby nature can act as a buffer in reducing the negative impacts of a highly stressful event on humans,” said lead author Masashi Soga, PhD, of the University of Tokyo. “The protection of natural environments in urban areas is important not only for the conservation of biodiversity, but also for the protection of human health.”

The results are encouraging at a time when blocking measures have been reintroduced in many countries around the world, particularly in urban centers.

This story is published via AFP Relaxnews.

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