By Sriman Arji, Saatvik Guduru, and Sahil Kulkarni • Youth Committee
Imagine you are walking in your local park. The warm sun kisses your skin as you notice the tall trees softly swaying in the wind. The gentle rustling of the leaves and the distant chirping of the birds create a soothing symphony. With each step, you feel calmer. This natural immersion can be useful for relieving stress and improving your focus. The environment is beneficial for mental health.
The “relaxation” caused by nature occurs in the portions of the brain that are responsible for managing stress. The main sections include the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The amygdala is a small almond-shaped portion of the brain responsible for identifying potential threats and initiating a “fight or flight” response. The amygdala is vital for processing stress.
The amygdala is vital for processing stress. Increased activity in the amygdala can signify more fear and anxiety and a deterioration of mental health. However, exposure to nature has been proven to decrease activity in the amygdala, hence leading to less stress. A recent study showed that a walk in nature actually caused activity in participants’ amygdalas to decrease.
The PFC, or prefrontal cortex, is another brain area responsible for managing stress. The PFC is composed of many subsections. The ventromedial PFC (vmPFC) is responsible for the processing of emotions. Essentially, the vmPFC is known to associate “positive” or “negative” values with an individual’s surroundings. Nature in general is viewed as positive, which causes increased activity in the vmPFC and lessened activity in the amygdala. This then leads to more relaxation.
Additionally, exposure to nature has been proven to lower cortisol levels (stress hormones), hence benefiting mental health.
Studies have shown that nature reduces the risk of psychiatric disorders. According to one study, Danish children who grew up with the lowest levels of green space had up to 55% higher risk of developing a psychiatric disorder independent from effects of other known risk factors.
The pressures of school, work, family, and social media contribute to high levels of stress among teenagers, with many reporting feeling overwhelmed (31%), fatigued (36%), and depressed (30%). Exposure to nature offers a promising solution to these and other pressures.
Australian students who took brief pauses to view a vivid, green rooftop during demanding tasks made significantly fewer mistakes compared with those who viewed a plain, concrete rooftop. This underscores the benefits of natural environments in reducing cognitive fatigue and enhancing performance.
According to Attention Restoration Theory, natural settings can help restore cognitive focus and improve working memory. By integrating more green spaces into schools and urban areas, we can provide teens with environments that promote relaxation and mental well-being, equipping them to better manage stress and improve their overall quality of life.
The United Nations and other policymakers and organizations are already calling for universal availability of safe and inclusive green spaces by 2030. When lawmakers and city developers understand the need for microparks, forests, and usable waterways, and provide funding for these, cities are imbued with social equity and public engagement. In a nutshell, the benefits could initiate a greater appreciation for nature in the community with the desire to address mental health, leading to a healthier and sustainable future for generations to come.
The natural environment helps us better our mental soundness by easing parts of our brain such as our amygdala and vmPFC, while also lowering cortisol levels. Access to green spaces also fosters psychological resilience and emotional balance. Additionally, nature’s wonders can help our youth, especially teenagers, with dealing with stress, among other things.
It’s time to embrace the healing power of nature to nurture both mind and body, whether we support bills and proposals that encourage the building and maintenance of natural areas, educate youth about the important connection between greenery and mental health, or simply spend more time outdoors.
A future that integrates nature into urban designs will create significant mental health benefits and potentially more resilient and peaceful societies. Additionally, such biophilic design may lead to a decline in mental health inequalities through improved access to green spaces.
Resources
Danish study: https://shorturl.at/BjPSN