According to a study, this is the place you should stay to improve your mental and physical health
It is common to hear that alive Outside and around major cities the nature extends Quality of life and add year for us Existence.
But so far it did not come Scientifically studied in depth. Now, accordingly Washington State University studyLives close by Green or blue spaces as lakes either the seaIt is associated with Better physical and mental health in Older adults.
The findings of the study show that just did 10% more forest space Pin code was associated with a person’s residence Reduction in severe psychological distresswhich covers mental health problems which requires treatment and interferes with people’s social life, work or school.
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Besides, 10% increase in green spacescoverage the wilddead bodies of water or the length of Walking trails Older people will report that their Health Common was poor or average.
“Our findings suggest that Loss of our green and blue urban spaces due to rapid urbanization It just can’t be Environmental impact Also impact on Health public,” said the study’s first author, Aditya Vegraju, a medical student at WSU Elson S. (Floyd College of Medicine), in research published in the journal Health and Place.
Based on survey data from this study Health More than 42,000 people aged 65 or older who lived urban areas of Washington State between 2011 and 2019.
In their analysis, researchers are concerned General and mental health outcomes From respondents with different criteria Access to green and blue spacessuch as forests, parks, lakes and rivers, within their residential zip code.
In the investigation, it was found that about 2% of those surveyed did Signs of serious psychological distress and 19% reported being Fair or poor general health.
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The researchers presented the preliminary findings of the study at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in April 2023, where they analyzed Percentage of green spaces, tree canopies, forested areas and open spacesAlso the length of the paths of the people studied.
They also extended their analysis to examine how these measures are related Self-Assessment General Health and to consider the differences in demographics Of the respondents, viz Race And Level of education.
However, other studies have analyzed how Proximity to nature can affect healthVegaraju said the study is the first to look at this relationship in older adults in the United States.
Elderly people are especially vulnerable to health problems. Mental health such as depression, which has been shown to increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Chances of meeting them are also less treatment To manage your mental health condition.
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“It is known that the Older adults with depression, anxiety or mental health problems They are more resistant to medical intervention or talk therapy, which is the most well-known treatment for these conditions. If Exposure to green or blue spaces may help prevent, delay or even treat poor mental health in older adultsWe have to look more closely at that as a way to improve mental health outcomes in this population,” Vegaraju emphasized.
And he made it clear that there might be a possible solution Include recipes from natureA growing trend in which healthcare providers provide written recommendations to patients Spend time outside.
The study’s lead author, Solmaz Amiri, said more research is needed to know exactly How about exposure to green and blue spaces Continuing to study as possible can lead to better mental and overall health The link between nature exposure and cognitive declineWhich can be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
“It is believed that green and blue spaces can come into contact Helps slow cognitive decline“said Amiri, a research assistant professor at the WSU School of Medicine and researcher at the Institute of Research and Education for the Advancement of Community Health (IREACH).
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“We want to know if Exposure to green and blue spaces can directly affect dementia Or it may do so by reducing the mental health problems that can lead to cognitive decline,” he concluded.
Ultimately, he hopes this research will help solve the problem Health disparities among older adults from lower socioeconomic backgroundswhich can be linked to a Unequal access to green and blue spaces In the urban areas where they live.
