Staying close to nature can give you mental relief amidst this covid-19 hustle: Study

When you get tired from the hustle and bustle of metro cities, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? It’s always a holiday in the bounty of Mother Nature so that you can unplug and rewind right? The reason behind this is the mental relief you get when you’re in nature.

There have been many studies in the past that have shown promising results when studying the connection between the great outdoors and mental health. And they all advocate that living closer to nature or spending some time in it can have a positive impact on your mental health. 

Today, in the time of covid-19—where our physical health is already taking a beating—our mental well-being is also suffering. That’s why it becomes all the more important that we rejuvenate ourselves. And what can be better than nature if this study is to be believed. 

The new study published in the journal Ecological Applications suggests that while staying close to nature can lead to many health benefits, nature around one’s home may help mitigate some of the negative mental health effects of the covid-19 pandemic.

An online questionnaire survey completed by 3,000 adults in Tokyo, Japan, quantified the link between five mental-health outcomes (depression, life satisfaction, subjective happiness, self-esteem, and loneliness) and two measures of nature experiences (frequency of green space use and green view through windows from home).

More frequent greenspace use and the existence of green window views from the home were associated with increased levels of self-esteem, life satisfaction and subjective happiness, as well as decreased levels of depression and loneliness.

“Our results suggest that nearby nature can serve as a buffer in decreasing the adverse impacts of a very stressful event on humans,” said lead author Masashi Soga, Ph.D., of The University of Tokyo. “Protecting natural environments in urban areas is important not only for the conservation of biodiversity but also for the protection of human health.” 

Yes we understand that a vacation might not be possible amidst this pandemic but you can very well set a small terrace garden or maybe keep plants indoor to benefit your mind. So, try this technique if you feel low next time.

It’s always a holiday in the bounty of Mother Nature so that you can unplug and rewind right? The reason behind this is the mental relief you get when you’re in nature.

It’s always a holiday in the bounty of Mother Nature so that you can unplug and rewind right? The reason behind this is the mental relief you get when you’re in nature.

For more stories follow our page Times of Northeast on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Koo

Visit our website https://timesofnortheast.com

Times of Northeast is an independent digital news platform which seeks to grab the attention of rational-minded people from Northeast India.