October’s Action Item Is . . .
Create A Personal or Community Green Space
Green spaces refer to areas set aside for recreation or conservation that are covered in vegetation like grass, trees, and plants. They vary in size, ranging from cozy neighborhood parks to vast national forests, and can be discovered in both urban and rural environments.
In towns and cities, this can look like woodlands, parks and gardens, as well as infrastructure elements like plant walls and green roofs.
Spending time in green spaces offer several mental health benefits:
Stress reduction: nature relaxes us(external link), reducing stress and cortisol levels, your stress hormone, which can sometimes lead to anxiety and depression.
Improved mood: green spaces have been shown to foster happiness and well-being (external link). They also help diminish anger, frustration, and anxiety, as well as ease seasonal affective disorder symptoms.
- Enhanced cognitive function: nature can boost your attention(external link), memory, and creativity. This could be due to its calming effects and a reduction in sensory overload.
- Stronger immune system: being in green spaces can strengthen your immunity(external link) through exposure to phytoncides released by plants, aiding white blood cells in fighting illness.
- Better sleep: green spaces improve sleep quality and duration(external link) by promoting relaxation and reducing stress. Natural light and fresh air also help regulate the sleep-wake cycle.
- Physical activity: spending time outdoors encourages physical activity, benefiting both physical and mental health, with outdoor exercise offering an extra mood boost(external link), reducing sadness and fatigue.