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Green Spaces

All, Mental Health

by Tori Roalef
July 12, 2022

In our busy lives, we're often connected with our phones, trapped in social media, and surrounded by technology. How often in our days do we take the time to visit our roots? Or, how often do we even see greenery in passing?

For urban dwellers, nature and greenery are often harder to find amidst buildings, machinery, and technology. But, green spaces have many mental health benefits. So, this week, we'll learn about green spaces and, most importantly, how we can incorporate green spaces into our daily lives.

The Idea of the Week

Green space refers to spaces that contain vegetation, which may include trees, flowers, shrubs, and plants.

Green space isn’t confined to just nature and rural areas; we can find green spaces in cities (although, they may be harder to find and not as abundant). Communal green spaces include recreational parks, community gardens or greenhouses, nature reserves, and even urban greenery, such as flowers and plants in the median of highways, trees and shrubbery alongside sidewalks, and flowers decorating the exterior of buildings. Green spaces can also exist in our backyards and inside our homes.

Exposure to green spaces offers an array of benefits. A nationwide study in Denmark showed how prolonged exposure to green spaces is important for people’s health and mental well-being. Green spaces can:

reduce the risk of developing depression, anxiety, and substance abuse;
encourage play and exercise;
provide a space for socializing;
decrease noise and air pollution;
help improve immune functioning;
help with psychological restoration, which means green spaces can provide respite for over-stimulated minds;
protect against stress-related issues;
improve the circulatory system;
boost energy and mood;
help improve sleep;
increase concentration;
and much more!

Practice of the Week

Finding or taking the time to visit a green space can be difficult (for many reasons). So, if finding a green space isn’t the best option, here is an article showing how you can incorporate green spaces into your backyard and inside your home.

Tip: if you prefer plants that are easier to maintain, you may want to check out succulents and terrariums to decorate your home.

Whether you’ve chosen to take a walk in the park, visit a garden, or sit by your indoor plants, the next time you visit your green space, consider forest bathing.

Forest bathing, based on a Japanese practice called shinrin-yoku, is an immersive experience and a mindful process in the presence of nature. As you are surrounded by the greens of nature, cultivate mindfulness by suspending judgment, being fully present, and experiencing with your senses.