Our relationships with nature are a fundamental component of building and sustaining good health.
The office workers experienced lower job stress, higher job satisfaction, and fewer illnesses if they had views of nature than if they did not ।
Viewing natural scenes has a positive health impact, For example, the hospital patients who viewed natural scenes, e.g. trees and animals from their wards, recovered faster, spent less time in hospital.
Placing trees next to freeways and roads, and having roads pass through and by green areas, reduces driver stress as measured by blood pressure, heart rate and sympathetic nervous system change।
Viewing nature reduces anger and anxiety, sustains attention and interest, and enhances feelings of pleasure।
Being in nature also impacts upon health.
Exposure to nature was shown to reduce mental fatigue, irritability and accidents, and improve problem solving ability and concentration in people from urban areas who are located in a natural environment for a few days
Gardening reduces stress, encourages nurturing characteristics, builds social networks and enhances social capital. Even indoor plants have a positive effect. They have been shown to improve office air quality, increase productivity and facilitate relationships between workers.
The health benefits are considerable Physical, mental and spiritual health are all enriched when we engage with nature. It is a challenge for us to make sure it happens.
**** Gardening is an international activity *****
