From a stroll through a city park to a day spent hiking in the wilderness,
exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits, including
improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric
disorders and even upticks in empathy and cooperation. Most research so
far has focused on green spaces such as parks and forests, and researchers
are now also beginning to study the benefits of blue spaces, places with
river and ocean views. But nature comes in all shapes and sizes, and
psychological research is still fine-tuning our understanding of its
potential benefits. In the process, scientists are charting a course for
policymakers and the public to better tap into the healing powers of
Mother Nature.
Find out more on APA