Study: Getting out into nature helps improve mental health

According to the new research scientists from Finland, frequent visits Outdoors, in parks or gardens can help reduce prescription drug use and improve health.

Researchers from the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, the University of Tampere in Finland and The University of Eastern Finland used data from about 6,000 people in Helsinki taking medication from anxiety, insomnia, depression, high blood pressure and asthma.

All participants in the survey were asked which drugs they took, as well as how much "green" and "blue" zones (nature on land and near lakes, rivers and oceans) they could observe from their home and visit.

It turned out that three or four trips to nature per week reduced the need for drugs for mental health by 33%, for normalization of blood pressure by 36%, and for asthma by 26%.

With five visits to natural areas, the chances that a person would need medication were even lower. And this correlation was traced regardless of the income of people and the level of education, but blurred when taking into account

Scientists understand that there is not enough data to show cause and effect. After all, it should be borne in mind that people with better health have more opportunities and motivation to go out. However, this study does show a potential link that should be explored further, added researchers.

This work also shows that simply contemplating nature does not have the same effect as going outside and visiting green spaces. In other words: Going out to the parks and out of town more often can be one way to improve your health.