Who would not like to have a healthy state of mind?
Obviously, everyone wants to be happy and healthy, and it is a universal aspiration, yet it remains elusive for many in today’s world.
Indeed, it seems that nearly everyone knows someone or is personally grappling with psychological issues of some kind. The prevalence of mental health challenges underscores the critical need for effective strategies to promote psychological well-being.
As we age, our mental health becomes increasingly important.
So it turns out that spending time in nature could be a powerful antidote to psychological distress, particularly for seniors.
A groundbreaking study from Washington State University has revealed that older adults living near green and blue environments like parks, forests, and waterways are less likely to experience severe psychological distress.
With an astonishing 42,000 seniors studied in urban areas of Washington State, the findings are hard to ignore. They suggest that nature’s healing power could be a crucial element in safeguarding mental well-being as we age. So why not lace up your hiking boots or head to the nearest park for a mood boost?
Your brain will thank you for it!
Green and Blue Places : A Natural Path to Improved Mental Health
The research team attempted to determine how close individuals resided to either green or blue spaces using data previously acquired by the US Census and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Green places for this study included adjacent city parks, neighbourhood gardens, and even cemeteries. Every body of water, including a lake, reservoir, sizable river, and ocean, was considered a blue space.
Psychological distress
Every subject filled out a questionnaire to gauge their level of psychological distress.
Six items on a five-point scale were included in the surveys and asked participants how frequently they experienced symptoms of sadness and anxiety.
The number of days they were unable to work owing to psychological anguish, the number of days their output was reduced by half, and the frequency with which they sought professional treatment were all also among the queries.
The authors of the study determined that participants with a test score of at least 13 had substantial psychological distress, which accounted for 2% of the sample.
Results
60% of people lived within half a mile of a blue space, while 70% lived near a green space. In comparison to those who lived further away, those who lived within a half-mile of green or blue spaces had a 17% lower risk of experiencing major psychological discomfort.
Nearly 1.3% of those who lived within a half-mile of water and parks experienced severe psychological distress, as opposed to 1.5% of people who lived farther away.
Impact on Brain Health
Stress can lead to mild cognitive impairment and the onset of dementia in older people. Any mental health issues that require treatment or have a moderate-to-severe impact on a person’s ability to engage in a job, school, and any other social situations were described by the study’s authors as psychological distress.
Prioritizing our mental well-being is essential for leading a fulfilling life, both personally and professionally. So let’s make mental health a top priority and invest in our brain’s health, just like we do for our bodies.
