Have you ever sat by the ocean , watching the ebb and flow of the tide and felt a sense of peace ? Perhaps your peaceful place was a picnic among the smell of fresh spring flowers ? Or sitting by a campfire , a cup of tea in hand , immersed in the sounds of the bush ?
It ’ s hard to deny the therapeutic effects of nature . We ’ ve all experienced that human moment where , immersed in the natural world , we exhale and our shoulders instinctively drop . With spring and milder weather upon us , let ’ s examine the very interesting scientific research on the benefit of bluegreen spaces on our wellbeing .
What are blue-green spaces ?
Although they may sound like new ‘ wellbeing buzzwords ’ to some , blue-green spaces are simple and are all around us . Blue spaces are places like the coastlines , lakes , rivers , sea , waterfalls and believe it or not – fountains ! Green spaces include forests , parks , rural land and walking tracks .
Historically , as hunters and gatherers , humans were accustomed to spending the majority of our time out in nature , foraging in the woods and fishing bodies of water – because this is where we found the food we needed to survive . In stark contrast , our modern lifestyles now entice us indoors ( especially in winter ), where we spend up to an incredible 90 % of our time . This can create a disconnect and detachment from our natural surroundings .
New perspectives in tough times
Although so difficult in so many ways , the COVID-19 pandemic gifted something to many of us : an increased appreciation of nature and the outdoors . During lockdowns , we saw people braving all weather conditions to spend every minute of their allocated time getting outside . We dreamt of being at the beach again , hiking our favourite track in the hills and road trips to regional areas . A deep appreciation for nature was clearly illuminated during this time for many of us .
A growing body of research now indicates that living near or maintaining contact with the natural world has a range of beneficial health and wellbeing outcomes .
Research shows that the closer you are to a blue or green space , the more likely you are to be physically active . This doesn ’ t have to mean a beach or a forest – it could be a grassy spot under the shade of a tree at your local pool .
social cohesion
Social cohesion refers to the strength of relationships and a sense of connection among members of a community . Increased traffic through local open green space areas during lockdowns has fostered a rise in neighbourhood social connections . You might find yourself chatting with someone , becoming a member of the unofficial ‘ dog park ’ gang , or kicking a ball with the kids .
Even these small positive social interactions cultivate social cohesion in ways that enhance health and wellbeing . These connections have been shown to help individuals buffer the adverse effects of stress .
Most people enjoy
working out in nature . Makes sense right ? Generally speaking , it ’ s much more interesting to walk around a park or alongside a body of water than down a residential street . In this way , blue-green spaces can help motivate people to exercise , by increasing enjoyment and escapism from everyday life .
Psychological restoration refers to the capacity for natural environments to replenish our brain function , which is depleted by stress and the everyday grind . Natural environments seem to provide our mind with restful experiences , reducing the need for directed attention .
The largest epidemiological study of it ’ s kind found that being outdoors in green space provides respite for over-stimulated minds . It also found that the effects are dose dependent – meaning the more we are exposed to green spaces , the greater the benefits for our mind and emotions .
Blue space has also been shown to provide psychological restorative effects . A review of 35 Barcelonian studies has found evidence of the positive effects of blue spaces on mental health , particularly in terms of stress reduction and perceived wellbeing .
So how much blue-green space actually makes a difference to our wellbeing ?
Two hours to be exact ! Researchers found that spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing . And the good news is , you don ’ t need to live by the ocean or the countryside to experience the benefits .
For those of us in more urban areas it seems that propensity to visit is the key . This might be increasing your visits to your local blue-green spaces such as the creek , lake , park or pool , or taking a day trip to the beach or countryside . When none of those are possible , you could just make some time to sit outside in your garden ( extra points if you have a fountain !).
YMCA HEALTHY LIVING MAGAZINE 15