April 2017 - Parks & Recreation - 31

Health Benefits from Small Nature Spaces
Following is a small sample from the research literature of the health benefits gained
specifically from small nature spaces:
Improved General Mood and Attitude
A study that compared meditative and
athletic walking in forest and indoor settings showed that in both environments
meditative walking generated more positive psychological effects than athletic
walking. Other investigators have found
evidence of lower frustration and increased brain activity, resembling meditation, when moving in green space versus
being in retail and commercial areas that
have no trees. Also, meditative walking in
the forest was the most effective at increasing happiness, defined as the presence of a
positive emotional mindset. Psychologists
know that being happy broadens how a
person thinks about and acts in the daily
flow of life's efforts, creating positive intellectual and psychological resources.
Stress Reduction
Stress is a major contributor to ill health.
Left unresolved, long-term stress can
lead to immune system issues and illness.
The experience of nature is one antidote
to stress, and the body's positive response
is remarkably fast, occurring within minutes. Studies by environmental psychologists show that visual exposure to nature,
in the form of trees, grass and flowers,
can effectively reduce stress, particularly
if initial stress levels are high.
Better Mental Health and Functioning
Experiences of nearby nature contribute to
better mental health and improve one's ca-

pacity to be productive according to Attention Restoration Theory. Modern life often
demands sustained focus on projects, and
this effort can lead to cognitive overload,
bringing on irritability and an inability to
function effectively, often with physical
symptoms. Views or brief experiences of
nearby nature help to restore the mind from
mental fatigue, as natural settings provide
respite from the highly focused attention
needed for most tasks in school or at work.
This may contribute to higher productivity
in the workplace, as research shows that
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better able to attend to tasks, report fewer
illnesses and have higher job satisfaction.
Increased time of nature experience (up to
1.5 hours) increases the restorative effect.
Improved Mindfulness and Creativity
Contemporary lifestyles are very busy,
and there is a greater need for intentional
time-outs to be mindful. Studies of mindfulness workshops, held for both mentally
healthy and clinically depressed individuals, show benefits of improved mood,
cognitive function and immune response.
Nature settings offer sensory inputs that
are mentally restorative and can foster ideation. In a study of creative professionals,
nature experiences enhanced creativity by
evoking new ways of thinking, promoting
curiosity and encouraging more flexible
thinking. A nature recharge may support
creativity, as the restored mind is better at
analyzing and developing ideas.
Building Social Capital
Social capital, a critical condition for a
host of community benefits, is formed
from the interpersonal relationships
of people and resulting supportive networks. The mere presence of landscape
or trees appears to promote community
connections. Views of green space from
homes are linked to greater perceptions
of well-being and neighborhood satisfaction. Public housing residents reported

Photo by Kathleen Wolf

ity important? Health services costs total
nearly 17 percent of the annual U.S. gross
domestic product. Creative programs that
enable more nature contact in the city can
help reduce costs at both the national and
community level.

feeling more safe if their development
had well-maintained landscaping, including trees and grass. Greener public
housing neighborhoods tend to be safer,
with fewer incivilities and less reported
crimes. Active involvement in community greening and nature restoration projects also produces social benefits, including strengthening of intergenerational
ties and organizational empowerment.
Scientific evidence should be the basis
of future efforts to make cities more sustainable and sustaining. We now know
that nearby nature - including small
plots or parcels imbedded within all land
uses - directly contributes to quality human habitat and is profoundly important
for the health of mind and body. Integrations of parks and infrastructure goals
can provide more opportunities for the
nearby nature experiences that promote
good health and sustain wellness.
Note: More information about Dr. Wolf 's
work can be found at http://www.naturewithin.info/.
Kathleen Wolf, Ph.D., is a Research Social
Scientist with joint appointments at the University
of Washington, College of the Environment, and
the U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research
Station (kwolf@uw.edu).

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April 2017 - Parks & Recreation

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