According to a recent study from researchers at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, living in urban areas with more green park space has a lasting positive mental effect on residents.
According to a recent study from researchers at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, living in urban areas with more green park space has a lasting positive mental effect on residents.
Researchers surveyed hundreds of subjects who had moved to a new neighborhood with either fewer or more green space parks.
They used survey data from over the course of five years to compare the mental health of the subjects.
Data from the study shows that people who live in greener urban areas are happier and have less anxiety.
Doctor Mathew White, co-author of the study from the European Centre for Environment and Human Health at the University of Exeter said: “There is evidence that people within an area with green spaces are less stressed and when you are less stressed you make more sensible decisions and you communicate better.”
The positive mental health effects of having more green space reportedly lasts longer than happiness from winning the lottery, receiving a promotion, a pay raise, or getting married.
Overall happiness after one of these events lasted for six months to a year before the subjects regressed to their former level of happiness.
