Many people believe that being close to nature and exploring the outdoors as often as possible do wonder to our health and well-being.
While rapid urbanization is keeping people indoors, in places surrounded by dull, uninspiring concrete, here’s the next best thing: living in a community close to, or surrounded by, gardens, parks, and pockets of green open spaces. Studies have shown that people who have access to these serene places are more relaxed and are happier and healthier.
Here are five ways gardens, parks, and green open spaces improve our mental and physical wellness.
1. Your stress levels will be reduced.
A study conducted by the University of Washington reveals that even just a “passive” experience of flowers and trees – such as a view from a window or a photograph – significantly reduces stress and lowers blood pressure to normal levels. Imagine what living in a community surrounded by gardens, parks, and green open spaces can do to one’s long-term well-being.
2. Physical activity is encouraged.
Exercise lowers the risk of health conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Residents who have access to well-maintained gardens, parks, and green open spaces are more likely to walk, run, ride their bikes, and be more active in general than those who live mainly in the heart of the urban jungle.
The good news is there are new residential developments that focus on creating more green areas and features like bi-level amenity decks designed with spacious fitness centers and children’s playgrounds, giving residents more reasons to make fitness a part of their daily lifestyle.
3. Your body’s recovery time speeds up.
Science backs up claims that gardens, parks, and green open spaces do have therapeutic effects. According to this study, post-surgery patients have been observed to heal faster when exposed to the outdoors.
A few minutes spent looking at trees, flowers, or bodies of water reduces anger, anxiety, and pain; this boosts the immune system, allowing the body to recover and rely less on pain management medicines. It also has a positive effect on muscle, heart, and brain activity.
4. Your focus and productivity is increased.
According to a study from the University of Queensland’s School of Psychology, having plants in a workplace boosts focus and improves productivity by up to 15%. Living or working in an environment surrounded by lush greens multiplies this effect many times over.
5. For kids, playing in gardens, parks, and green open spaces helps develop motor skills.
As kids, we used to climb fruit trees and run around vacant lots during summer; little did we know that these carefree playtime sessions did us a lot of good. A study has shown that children who played open spaces that have trees and uneven terrain develop better balance and coordination skills than those who played elsewhere.
Looking for a beautiful garden community to move into? Check out this option.
