A recent study reveals the positive impact of natural diversity on mental wellbeing. Environments with a wide range of natural features, such as trees, birds, plants, and waterways, are associated with better mental wellbeing. Protecting and promoting natural diversity can maximize the benefits of nature for mental health. Findings have implications for urban planning and public health. Prioritizing biodiversity can create greener and healthier spaces that promote mental wellbeing.
The Positive Impact of Natural Diversity on Mental Wellbeing
( Credit to: Scienceblog )
A recent study conducted by King's College London has revealed the positive impact of natural diversity on mental wellbeing. Environments with a wide range of natural features, such as trees, birds, plants, and waterways, are associated with better mental wellbeing compared to environments with fewer features.
The study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Wellcome, used a smartphone application called Urban Mind to collect real-time data on mental wellbeing and natural diversity from nearly 2,000 participants.
The findings of the study indicate that environments with a wide range of natural features, such as trees, birds, plants, and waterways, are associated with better mental wellbeing compared to environments with fewer features. Interestingly, these benefits can last for up to eight hours.
The study also suggests that approximately 25% of the positive impact of nature on mental health can be attributed to the diversity of features present.
Protecting and Promoting Natural Diversity for Mental Wellbeing
Lead author Ryan Hammoud, a Research Assistant at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London, emphasized the importance of protecting and promoting natural diversity to maximize the benefits of nature for mental wellbeing. He suggested moving away from heavily curated monocultural spaces and parks with mown grass, which typically have low biodiversity. Instead, he proposed creating spaces that mirror the biodiversity of natural ecosystems to create greener and healthier urban areas.
These findings have significant implications for urban planning and public health. It is crucial to develop policies and practices that support the richness of nature and species, as they not only benefit the environment but also contribute to public mental health. By prioritizing biodiversity, cities can create greener and healthier spaces that promote mental wellbeing.
The Importance of Biodiversity in Urban Planning
The study was conducted between April 2018 and September 2023, with nearly 2,000 participants using the Urban Mind app to provide over 41,000 assessments. The app was developed by King's College London, landscape architects J&L Gibbons, and arts foundation Nomad Projects. The Urban Mind project received funding from Wellcome, the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South London.
Senior author Andrea Mechelli, Professor of Early Intervention in Mental Health at the IoPPN, highlighted the importance of biodiversity in the face of climate change. He emphasized that as biodiversity rapidly declines, it is essential to recognize its critical role not only in the health of natural environments but also in the mental wellbeing of individuals living in those environments. Mechelli stated that biodiversity should be considered vital infrastructure within cities, as it brings co-benefits for both planetary and human health.
Conclusion: Prioritizing Biodiversity for Mental Wellbeing
In conclusion, the study's findings underscore the need to protect and promote biodiversity for the benefit of both our natural environments and the mental wellbeing of people living in urban areas. As we confront the challenges of climate change, it is crucial to prioritize biodiversity as an essential component of our urban infrastructure.