Now that spring and good weather are coming, have you ever wondered how nature influences our mood? What makes living near parks or green spaces improve our physical and mental health?
The answer is related to that contact with nature or green spaces reduce the level of stress in the body. Numerous studies have shown that walking in the woods lowers blood cortisol levels, blood pressure and heart rate, which translates into less stress and greater well-being and mood.
A group of German researchers did a study comparing two groups, the first had to walk through a forest without company, no music or any distraction, while another group walked in the same conditions but on the edge of a highway. The study shows how the subjects who took a walk in the middle of nature presented a decrease in flow in the subgenual prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain responsible for handling repetitive thoughts or negative emotions. People who walked near the highway maintained the level of blood flow to that area.
In addition From this research a recent study carried out by Stanford University shows that subjects who took a 90-minute walk in a natural environment had lower levels of anger and showed decreased neural activity in an area of the brain linked to the risk of mental illness compared to those who walked through an urban setting.
Remember, even if you live in a big city, you can also benefit from being in contact with nature. If you don't know how, I'll give you a series of tips:-
1. Plan a getaway to a country house or in the middle of the field on weekends.
2. Even within your city, try to go to a park and walk for 20-30 minutes.
3. Build your own garden at home and create your own green space.
4. If possible decorate your office or office with indoor plants
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