Life's easier when it's green
People with access to gardens or other green areas are less stressed
Morten Juhl/ Scanpix
People with access to gerdens or other green areas are less stressed
'Sniff two flowers and call me in the morning', could be the doctor's advice the next time a patient calls complaining of stress.
A new study from Forest and Landscape Denmark, a research institute at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, finds that people feel less stressed when they have access to green areas. Garden owners proved to be the least stressed of all.
For 93 percent of those participating in the study, green areas had a positive effect on their state of mind. Many also felt that their health improved by being outside.
'Most people agree that green areas have a positive influence on people's attitudes and that they are good places to calm down. Just having a view of something green relieves stress,' said Thomas B. Hansen, an urban planning expert who authored the study together with cultural geographer and physiotherapist Karsten B. Hansen.
Their study was based on the responses of 2000 Danes between the ages of 18 and 80.
Though forests, lakes and rivers, and the ocean were attractive areas for many people, they seldom visited such areas unless they lived close by them. Local green refuges such as a garden or a common courtyard within 400 metres of where one lived had more of an impact on day-to-day existence.
Although the study also found that many people enjoy recreating in green areas, they found that garden life - gardening, grilling, sunbathing - was the most valuable form of outdoor activity. For many, just being outside in a green area was enough.
'It is green areas in of themselves that are important. It can be big and fancy and beautiful, but it doesn't need to be that,' said Hansen. 'The most important thing is that there is an established greenspace so people can have the opportunity to be outside.'
/ritzau/
7 comments:
No surprises here, nature truly is the cure.. haven't you ever covered yourself up to your neck and soil and be reborn a child of the land?
It is truly good for the soul and apparently my psoriasis
I often go treehugging with friends and have conversations with possums and so forth ...there is nothing like the great outdoors, even sitting outside in the ol' back yard is therapeutic..
good work Councillor, I do wish there were more trees in uhhh, Hyde Park
stuntman:
God bless the drab motherland.... :)
If gardens and open space are so important, why are you promoting the so-called "organic" food markets propsed for Fitzroy Gardens, Kings Crors on this same blog site.
They will chew up all the Fitzroy gardens for whole slabs of the year, thus depriving locals of their open space.
Robyn
If an "establlished green space" is so important, why are for alienating Fitzroy gardens, Potts Point -your own suburb apparently - for a tacky Rotary market?
The Growers markets are only occuring in Fitzroy garden one day a fortnight. Thats only about 3% of the time. I put it to you that more peopel from our community will visit Fitzroy gardens in that 3% than the entire remaining 97%. Parks are more than street drinkers and ibis. I challenge you to set up a stall when the markets open with a sign and peition calling for their closure. Shayne
James(is that your real name?), thanks for your virtual anonymous flaming of my blog site - not. let us know your one so we can enjoy your intellectual brilliance and courage for open debate.
For the record - All donations to my campaigns are disclosed per the laws of Australia and policies of Council. I sincerely thank those who support my campaigns because without them (and its the same for Greens or Clover Moore - dont duck that one) we could not get our message out in the campaign. SM
All donations to my campaigns are disclosed per the laws of Australia and policies of Council. If you have such a concern about one Coucnillor then you would be aware that I have been an vocal advocate at Council, within the party and at the NSW Local Government Association that all donations to campaigns in local government be restricted to induviduals only and capped at $2,000 per annum. Check out the Greens donations return where many induviduals have donated ten of thousands of dollars. Where did this money come from - not disclosed? Until all parties and candidates agree to this policy it will not work. SM
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