Green makes us all happier

A recent survey of 2500 individuals about anxiety, depression and stress conducted and analyzed by researchers at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. They also analyzed 229 neighborhoods for vegetation cover. The verdict; people who live close to a park and green spaces are happier!

These results were discussed on Co.Exist (Fast Company) by  Ben Schiller in his recent article, '

If You Live Near A Park, You're More Likely To Be Happy' 

Those places with more trees tended to be happier, and the association was "significant and sizable," according to a paper discussing the results. In fact, the relationship of happiness to trees was similar to well-known correlations, like unemployment. "The most interesting thing is that decreased symptoms attributed to green space were similar to decreases observed for other important determinants of mental health, including insurance status and income," wrote Kirsten Beyer, an assistant professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin, in an email.

The paper shows the difference in well-being levels between areas with zero tree canopy cover and 100% canopy cover was greater than the well-being difference between someone having and not having health insurance.

Read on




References:

Longitudinal Effects on Mental Health of Moving to Greener and Less Green Urban Areas

(International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)

If You Live Near A Park, You're More Likely To Be Happy'

(Fast Company- Co.Exist)