Exposure to green environments 'reduces stress'
Friday, 21 November 2008
Employers who want to help their workers combat stress should encourage them to visit parks and open spaces, according to a charity.
Taking part in an activity in a green environment such a park is one of the quickest and most effective methods of reducing stress, GreenSpace says.
According to a report published in the Lancet, physical environments that promote good health may be important to reduce socioeconomic health inequalities.
David Tibbatts, general manager of GreenSpace, said exposure to green environments is strongly connected to improving and accelerating recovery from an illness.
"Green spaces also contribute to improved air quality: reducing pollutants and potentially harmful particulates as well as the ambient air temperature," he added.
According to a report by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, 33 million people make more than 2.5 billion visits to urban green spaces.
It also showed 85 per cent of people feel the quality of public space has a direct impact on their lives and the way they feel. 