Greener the surroundings happier the people, a latest study shows
The survey conducted on 2,500 Wisconsin residents from 229 neighborhoods found that people reported less depression and anxiety when the surroundings were greener.
The researchers arrived at the conclusion after combining the mental-health data from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW) and Landsat 5 satellite data from July 2009 that analyzed the greenery present in each of the SHOW census blocks.
The participants were asked to rate their symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. The researchers adjusted the results to make sure they did not mix the race, age, income level, education, marital status, employment and other factors.
The results showed that people who lived in a neighborhood with less than 10 percent tree canopy were much more likely to report symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety.
"Across neighborhoods of Wisconsin, from the North Woods to the cities, the results are striking," Dr Kristen Malecki, assistant professor of population health sciences at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health said in a news release. "Higher levels of green space were associated with lower symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress."
Malecki explained that the study strengthened the "attention restoration theory" that says that more time in nature improves concentration ability and reduces mental fatigue. She further said that the same idea is also the theme of the book 'Last Kid in the Woods' that shows indoor lifestyle and watching more TV might affect attention span in children.
"The greening of neighborhoods could be a simple solution to reducing stress," says Malecki. "If you want to feel better, go outside."
