Final English Podcast

Urbanization and a lack of green spaces in cities can have negative effects on mental health. Studies have shown that being outdoors and in green spaces can provide an escape from daily struggles and lower stress and depression. Access to fresh air and natural views can have a cleansing effect on the mind. Well-maintained public green spaces have been shown to decrease the prevalence of mental disorders. It is important to prioritize self-care and utilize the available green spaces, as well as advocate for more to be created. Exposure to nature has positive outcomes for mental health, so it is crucial to limit the urbanization of green spaces. Hello, everyone, and welcome to today's segment of the Natural Life Podcast. In the song Empire State of Mind, Alicia Keys may have described New York as a concrete jungle where dreams are made of, but new findings can show us that maybe the concrete atmosphere of cities isn't quite as healthy for us as we think. As populations urbanize, many green spaces and natural environments are suffering, and as a result of this, so are we. Plants help purify the air we breathe, but can they also help purify all the chaos in our minds? I investigated this as I delved into new research findings. Mental health and addiction problems affect more than 1 billion people globally, meaning this is a topic of increasing relevancy. With mental health issues taking such a drastic toll on our society, it is time for something to change. There are many factors beyond our control, and that's why it's important to do as much as we can to help. Recent studies are showing that being outdoors can create an escape from daily struggles in a contrast to overstimulating urban environments. Being outdoors can provide numerous healthy opportunities. Exercising is proven to increase health and well-being and is often encouraged when outside, whether walking, running, playing sports, etc. Even if you are not exercising, being in green spaces can still be healthy because it can provide a space to build community. Whether you are alone or with others, access to fresh air and natural views can help lower stress and depression by providing you with a lifted and cleansing feeling. To learn more, I investigated the article, The Impact of Green Spaces on Mental Health in Urban Settings. Green space is defined as public parks, sports fields, community gardens, natural meadows, protected areas, woodlands, and shrublands. We may think these are plentiful, however, to what standards are those public places being upheld? As previously stated, these spaces are a vital component for healthy living and serotonin. Based on research from the article, it was shown that 23 out of 25, or 92%, of studies provided evidence that the prevalence of mental disorders decreased after exposure to well-maintained public green spaces. These mental conditions included depression, anxiety, stress, general mood, and self-esteem. The mental well-being of participants was measured both based on self-reports and psychological results. Studies found that the annual prevalence of anxiety was lower in living environments with a green space in a radius of six-tenths of a mile. Even if people may not realize it in their busy lives, a lack of nature can make living in cities more distressing and therefore creates a pressing need for more green spaces. Yes, many cities have large parks, such as Central Park or the Boston Common, but not everyone lives near these parks and all cities have varying amounts of green space. It is easy to assume that all your daily stress comes from work or relationships, but these studies are starting to show that maybe it is also a lack of nature. Self-care should be prioritized and taught. While lying in your bed and watching TV can feel like it's self-care, maybe it would be better to instead put on headphones and go for a walk. These alternatives are often not discussed and should be brought to the attention of more individuals. Furthermore, we must not only take advantage of the space at hand, but advocate for more to be created. It is important for architecture, urban design, and civil engineering to recognize the association between green space and a happy and healthier mind. While that would be nice, we can't just sit around and wait for this to happen. It is important to go utilize the spaces available to us starting right now. If we do this, then we are taking a step in the right direction for our mental health. In conclusion, there are nothing but positive outcomes to be had from exposure to nature, so we should fight to limit the urbanization of our green spaces. It is so very important to prioritize the mental health of ourselves, employees, students, patients, and everyone around us. So next time you want to go lay in bed for hours or hear the song Empire State of Mind by Alicia Keys, I encourage you to take a stroll around a local park or trail.