Naturalizing urban spaces may be key to healthy city living

Since the 1970s, sociologists have noted that urban dwellers with access to green spaces have lower hostility levels, a more positive mental outlook and better health than residents cut off from nature. Even the view of a single street tree from an apartment window seemed to have positive effects. Now with people around the globe crowding into mega-cities, the race is on to discover the science behind what’s being called the “nature fix.”

The Natural Resources Institute in Finland is home to one of the largest studies on the restorative effects of exposure to nature. Its discovered that as little as five extra hours a month spent in park-like settings improvead individuals’ vitality and creativity and brightened their outlook while decreasing negative emotions. For 80% of study participants, significant reductions in circulating corisol levels (a stress hormone) and blood pressure were recorded as well as modest increases in cognitive performance.

This research has caused Finland’s government and some cities to invest in restoring parks and increasing forest land accessible to city dwellers. It’s also sparked similar studies elsewhere.

Although this research is new, it echos findings from as far back as the beginning of the 19th century. Physician Benjamin Rush (a signer of the Declaration of Independence) found mental disorders decreased when his patients increased their physical activity and exercise levels. Spa treatments, retreats and even the development of Boy and Girl Scouts all reflected the idea that a return to nature was therapeutic.

Despite these beginnings, the
development of the modern pharmaceutical industry after World War II ended most nature therapies. It’s only been in the last 20 years that the increasing downsides to drug treatments have once again led research back to nature as the key to correcting what ails us.

As a result, nature-based therapies are becoming more popular. In South Korea, “forest bathing”  — hiking combined with exercise stations and mediation — is encouraged by many businesses. The program shows short-term blood pressure reduction and feelings of mental wellness.

In the U.S., new Outward Bound programs for veterans reconfirm immersing patients in nature can produce better health benefits than medication and cognitive therapy combined. Brain monitoring indicates awe-inducing natural experiences stimulate the same parts of the brain as mediation. The results can be long lasting, too. Week-long nature immersion programs show health effects can last for months.

Getting people outdoors is an increasing challenge. Studies show young people increasingly captivated by screen time resulting in the loss of social connections, empathy and the ability to read interpersonal signals. There are also indications that increasing urban sound levels and lack of exposure to daylight may be damaging our physical and psychological development. Naturalizing urban spaces may be the number one challenge for future city planners. And it may be the safest and sanest way to a healthier urban existence.