Young people’s mental well-being is significantly improved when natural elements are integrated into the urban landscape. Specifically, it is the practice of forest bathing.
This new pastime involves spending time in a quiet meditative state among trees and nature. Forest bathing has emerged as a simple and effective way to reduce stress and improve overall health in adolescents.
This is the core finding of an important environmental study by the University of Waterloo, highlighting the health benefits of incorporating more green space into urban planning.
Nature’s prescription: Effects of forest bathing
This study is a pioneering effort to gather real-time feedback from young people about their emotional responses to different urban environments, including transit hubs, residential areas, parks, trails, and bodies of water.
The results clearly demonstrate that natural urban spaces are associated with significantly higher levels of positive emotional responses.
Leia Minaker, associate professor in the School of Planning and director of the Future Cities Initiative, emphasized the novelty and importance of these findings.
“While this finding may not come as a surprise to most people, it is important to note that for the first time we are aware of how much anxiety is reduced when children are near a park rather than in the city centre. That was specific,” Minaker explained.
This insight forms part of the University of Waterloo’s broader commitment to promoting a healthy and sustainable urban future.
Lush green space, bright mood
The study found that even a short forest bath, such as looking out at an urban lake, could reduce anxiety in young people by 9%.
Conversely, over the same period of time, exposure to a busy downtown environment increased anxiety levels by 13%, even after controlling for variables such as age, gender, ethnicity, mental health, and social status.
As urbanization increases, it becomes increasingly important to understand the impact of urban environments on young people’s mental health.
This is a particularly pressing issue given the prevalence of depression and anxiety as leading causes of illness in adolescents.
Incorporating nature into urban design
The study found that the presence of natural motifs, natural landscapes, parks, gardens, and trees in urban areas significantly improved young people’s psychological well-being.
Interestingly, the ways that adolescents interact with these green spaces (e.g., skateboarding and socializing) are different from adults, who use them more for walking and running.
These insights provide valuable guidance to urban planners, architects, and health professionals, advocating for urban designs that prioritize natural elements that benefit all age groups.
Involving teens in urban planning
Including teenagers in urban planning decisions is critical, Minaker said, as their experiences and perspectives can influence long-term health outcomes and disease prevalence.
“Teens are often excluded from any decisions about the city they live in,” Minaker said. “Childhood experiences influence many long-term health and disease outcomes, so it’s important to hear their voices and quantify their experiences.”
Looking ahead, the research team plans to investigate the links between forest bathing, youth mental health, and broader economic and social impacts.
It also aims to investigate the effects on children’s mental and physical health of living in high-rise buildings, an area that is currently understudied in North America.
Building a healthy future through forest bathing efforts
In summary, incorporating natural elements into urban environments has emerged as an important strategy to enhance young people’s mental well-being, as evidenced by pioneering research at the University of Waterloo.
By demonstrating the tangible benefits of forest bathing and nature-inclusive design, including reduced anxiety and improved mental health, this study will help urban planners, architects, and policy makers prioritize green space in urban development. provide a persuasive argument for
Involving young people in the planning process enriches urban design with their unique perspectives, helping to create cities that foster the mental health of all residents.
As we look to the future, it is clear that building greener, more inclusive urban landscapes is key to fostering healthier, happier communities for generations to come.
The entire study was published in the journal cities and health.
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