Gardening, walking in the woods, or any other dose of nature may soon be widely prescribed as a treatment in the NHS after a major study showed that “green recipes” can do wonders for our mental and physical health.
Environmental regulations can take many forms depending on the individual, but the most common one involves bringing people together outdoors so that patients can benefit from social interaction and being in the ocean, park, or other green or aquatic environment.
Just 15 minutes of active rest a week has been proven to really help, even though environmental regulations usually call for an hour or two a week.
The study’s findings will put further pressure on the government to scale up the green regulation pilot that has been running in seven districts in England over the past two years, when a decision is made early next year on whether to implement it more widely.
While there are many small studies on the benefits of nature for our well-being, this is by far the most comprehensive report on the subject based on hundreds of previous studies.
A new study has shown that being in nature increases well-being, happiness, resilience and reduces social isolation.
Research has shown that it can also lead to a reduction in symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when offered along with therapeutic and mindful interventions.
It is believed that there are many reasons why being in nature – and with other people – can help our health, although they are not fully understood. According to experts, it can help lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, calm the nervous system, and boost the immune system, among other things.
A study by the National Academy of Social Prescriptions makes a strong case for a much wider use of green recipes, as suggested by NHS England, which commissioned the report from Natural England.
“This report provides a framework for broader implementation of the health and care system—to reach areas where health inequalities may exist and to support people and what matters to them,” said James Sanderson, director of public health and personal care. care in NHS England. .
“We have promoted a wide range of physical and mental health benefits associated with outdoor activities, especially with examples across the country through our Green Social Prescription Test and Learn sites to address and prevent mental health issues,” he said.
Jim Burt, co-executive director of the National Academy of Social Prescriptions, added: “We have heard calls for more evidence of social prescriptions. The extensive, high-quality research outlined in these reports demonstrates that nature can actually be beneficial to both our mental and physical health.”
“Research shows that there are now many studies demonstrating the mental health benefits of the natural environment,” he says.
“A full evaluation of the pilot projects will be published next year, but we hope the new data analysis will help highlight the enormous potential of nature activities and encourage health leaders across the country to see the benefits for people who improve their mental health. “fought.”
Burt says the report is based on hundreds of high-quality studies that have looked at the experiences of thousands of people to understand how nature has affected them. The result is a wealth of evidence describing the many ways in which spending time in and interacting with nature is beneficial to our health and well-being.
Meanwhile, studies that have assessed the economic value of green mental health interventions generally show that they are cost-effective and result in savings for society, the report says.
This suggests that environmental regulations could be a good way to help the NHS save money.
A 2019 study by Leeds Beckett University found that for every £1 spent on conservation projects run by wildlife trusts that provide outdoor volunteering opportunities and programs that support people with problems such as anxiety, stress or mild depression. The Society saved £8.50 in part because they needed fewer GP visits or felt more able to get back to work.
Green social prescriptions are described in the report as “bringing together and empowering people to participate in activities in nature to improve their mental health.”
“These estimates are based on a wealth of evidence showing that spending time in nature is good for our mental and physical health and that environmentally friendly social prescriptions promote social bonding and reduce isolation and loneliness. Gardening has been shown to be extremely beneficial for both physical and mental health,” said Helen Chatterjee, professor of human health and the environment at University College London, who worked on the report.
The government has set up seven testing and learning sites and will publish a full assessment of the project in 2023. They are found on the Humber Coast, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Surrey and Bristol.
A government spokesman said: “These evidence notes demonstrate the crucial link between nature and human health and well-being and are part of a series of evidence being developed by the green social purpose program. We are currently evaluating the next steps for the program.”
Marian Spain, Managing Director of Natural England, said: “Spending time outdoors in our incredible natural areas – no matter how big or small, urban or rural – has been proven to improve people’s lives. Therefore, it is vital that we continue to invest in restoring nature and creating places where everyone can enjoy and benefit from their physical and mental health.”
What the report found
The key conclusion of the expert group of authors was that social assignment can influence a very wide range of outcomes, including reduced loneliness and improved mental health and well-being, social connections and general well-being:
- Increased self-esteem and self-confidence, a sense of control and power
- Improved psychological or mental well-being and positive mood
- Reducing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression and low mood
- Improving physical health and a healthy lifestyle
- Improving sociability, communication skills and establishing social contacts
- Reduce social isolation and loneliness, support hard-to-reach people
- Improving motivation and purpose in life, instilling hope and optimism for the future
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.