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According to a new study, being prescribed “green” sessions would improve both our physical and mental health. Explanations.
We know that spending as much time as possible outside is good for our health. But a new investigation, published in the newspaper The Lancet Planetary Healthreveals that being in contact with nature even reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, depression and hypertension.
Contact with nature would contribute “to the maintenance of mental and physical health”
To reach this conclusion, the team from the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) reviewed 28 international studies on the subject.
Randomized and non-randomised controlled studies with “nature prescription” (i.e. a nature program organized by a health professional) were included.
Result ? Nature prescriptions resulted in a greater reduction in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. They also had a positive impact on depression scores and anxiety scores.
In addition, these prescriptions have encouraged candidates to walk more, which helps to reduce sedentary behaviors.
Finally, walking regularly in gardens or parks would also promote the development of healthy habits, such as physical activity or socializing.
“It can help prevent problems such as loneliness, depression and cardiovascular disease“, specify the authors in a communicated.
“This study builds on a long-term research program that we carry out, where we show that contact with nature – and trees in particular – is really good for strengthening mental and physical health throughout our lives.“, concludes Professor Xiaoqi Feng, who led the work.