By Laura G. Owens
Everyone knows breathing in nature’s landscape brings instant inner Tahiti. But how long does the ahhhh of a sunset or green city park last? British researchers with the University of Exeter Medical School found that when people move to places with greener spaces, not only do they experience an immediate bump in mental health, but the effect lasts up to three years after they move. The analysis is one of the first to look at the impact of green spaces on mental health over time. Data also revealed that people who moved to more built-up places had a drop in mental health. Besides being a universally welcome mood booster, the findings are useful for mental health counselors who work with depressed patients and for urban planners interested in creating “sustainable public health benefits.”
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~ Stats about our national parks
