Cycling, walking in nature may improve your mental health
Monday, October 22, 2018 IST
Those commuting through natural environments on a daily basis had on average a 2.74 point higher mental health score compared to those who commuted through natural environments less frequently.
People who commute - walking or cycling - through natural environments are more likely to develop better mental health than those who commute less, according to a new study.
Natural environments included all public and private outdoor spaces that contain ‘green’ and/or ‘blue’ natural elements such as street trees, forests, city parks and natural parks/reserves and all types of water bodies.
“Mental health and physical inactivity are two of the main public health problems associated with the life in urban environments. Urban design could be a powerful tool to confront these challenges and create healthier cities. One way of doing so would be investing in natural commuting routes for cycling and walking,” said Mark Nieuwenhuijsen from the University of Barcelona.
For the study, published in the journal, Environment International, the research team examined nearly 3,600 participants who answered a questionnaire about their commuting habits and their mental health.
The findings showed that respondents commuting through natural environments on a daily basis had on average a 2.74 point higher mental health score compared to those who commuted through natural environments less frequently.
This association was even stronger among people who reported active commuting, the team said.
“From previous experimental studies we knew that physical activity in natural environments can reduce stress, improve mood and mental restoration when compared to the equivalent activity in urban environments,” said first author Wilma Zijlema from the varsity.
“Although this study is the first of its kind to our knowledge and, therefore, more research will be needed, our data show that commuting through these natural spaces alone may also have a positive effect on mental health.”
Related Topics
Related News & Articles
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses at the Plenary Session of 5th Eastern Economic Forum
Recently posted . 561 views . 1 min read
India has deep ties with the kingdom, which is the only country apart from China that can put pressure on Pak. But these relations are part of a complex Middle East...
Recently posted . 733 views . 2 min read
Do you regularly use Ola or Uber for your travel? For most of us, the answer will be “YES” but for some it’s still a “NO”.
Recently posted . 772 views . 1 min read
The latest move comes at a time when fraud-hit Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative Bank is facing a grave crisis and customers have been demanding their entire mone...
Recently posted . 877 views . 2 min read
Masood Azhar is a Pakistani terrorist responsible for some of the worst attacks on India in recent years. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday ...
Recently posted . 609 views . 2 min read
Trending News & Articles
While the Uttarakhand High Court has asked to block 857 websites, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (Meity) found 30 portals without any pornographic content.
...
Recently posted . 64K views . 1 min read
The four boys as well as five school officials, including the director and principal, were arrested after the incident. The minors were presented before the Juvenil...
Recently posted . 9K views . 1 min read
Rahul was having an Italian passport and was carrying suitcase full of dollars. Some say it was about was it $2 million.
Rahul and his girl friend was th...
Recently posted . 9K views . 7 min read
True – Tr...
Recently posted . 8K views . 83 min read
More in Food & Health
NEW DELHI: An overwhelming majority of opposition parties have extended tactical support to the Andhra Pradesh rivals YSR Congress and TDP, who are...
Recently posted. 670 views . 2 min read
If you too have you been waiting to step on a cruise for the journey of a lifetime, here’s a piece of golden news! November2019 will mark the beginning of a c...
Recently posted. 617 views . 3 min read
A man sent DGP Uttar Pradesh, ADG Zone Meerut, PRO SSP and UP Police a WhatsApp message that showed from where bribes are collected and how they are distributed amo...
Recently posted. 647 views . 1 min read
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 2K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 3K views . 52 min read
Recently posted . 1K views . 48 min read
With Donald Trump administration increasingly looking inward in with its America First policy outlook, over 60,000 Indians may soon be rendered jobless in the US....
Recently posted. 701 views . 2 min read
Proposal was turned down, says new book
Recently posted. 989 views . 0 min read