How our local gardens and parks affect mental health
Scientific litsketch on boosting mental health
How does the environment that we live in affect our mental well-being and happiness? Does the amount of green space and gardens in our neighbourhood significantly affect our happiness? Research shows that people who live in urban areas with more green space like parks and gardens report greater life satisfaction and lower mental distress (White et al., 2013).
A survey of more than 10,000 people over 17 years shows that just by living in areas with more trees and gardens, we feel greater happiness.
The nature is a magical source of not only inspiration, but of healing and happiness.
When we begin to really see and appreciate the beauty in all the natural world that surrounds us, and the beauty of the connections we have with all the beasts of the land, the birds of the heavens, trees of the earth and the fish in the seas, and the stars of the universe, we can find greater happiness in life.
When we appreciate the beauty of an artwork by an artist, the artist would be very pleased. When we appreciate the beauty of nature, God would also be very pleased.
Next time you walk past a park or a garden, pause for a moment to extract all the happiness that the green space is giving you.
White, M. P., Alcock, I., Wheeler, B. W., & Depledge, M. H. (2013). Would you be happier living in a greener urban area? A fixed-effects analysis of panel data. Psychological Science, 24(6), 920-928.