It comes as no surprise that a well functioning eco-system is necessary in order to live our lives. Floods, droughts and extreme temperature fluctuations are unwelcome guests as far as our day-to-day wellbeing is concerned. Most of us are aware that in the western world we are living far beyond the planet’s capacity – if everyone in the world lived like we do in Europe, it is estimated we would need about three planets to support us!
We should also not underestimate the importance of the environment in which we live. Green spaces, such as parks, gardens or countryside, offer a welcome respite from the pressures of urban life. Moreover, trees and landscaped gardens encourage social interaction. People who live close to green open spaces have stronger social ties – they know their neighbours better, engage in more social activities and have a stronger sense of belonging.
Children and young people draw benefits by playing for longer, more creatively and co-operatively in areas with trees and grass. Moreover, green spaces seem to reduce mental fatigue, aggression and violence, resulting in improved mental health and reduced crime levels. As far as physical health is concerned, natural environments help people recover more quickly from illness and also provide significant longevity benefits (a daily stroll in the park could buy you an extra five years of life)!
We are only now beginning to realise the extent to which both, global and local environments, can affect our wellbeing. The Year of Wellbeing can be used to take some small steps in the right direction in this respect too.
