Paul Bourguet, a French writer and critic, used to say that “the forests have taught man freedom”. However, it seems that these living beings not only teach us will and autonomy, but also happiness.
According to studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, green areas are a simple and natural solution to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Throughout 18 years of research with 10,000 participants, it was found that there is an improvement in the feeling of well-being and a decrease in stress when there is constant exposure to plants.
The impact of green areas was examined through the evaluative parameter of well-being and life satisfaction, according to the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) scale. In order to gain an analytical perspective on the effects of the plants, the question of the personality types of the participants was demarcated.
On the other hand, the study also suggests that being more exposed to green areas increases the possibility of feeling successful in different aspects of life. Consequently, through this research, it is intended to demonstrate the significant benefit of protecting and promoting urban spaces with plants:
Our work indicates that «greening» could be considered a cheap investment with high benefits, which can generate a positive influence on the mental health of the population. […] What is most interesting is that the negative symptoms that decreased when exposed to green areas are those determinants that affected mental health, such as the issue of health insurance or salary.
Consequently, the responsibility for creating urban green areas falls not only on local authorities, but also on the effort of each inhabitant who plants and cares for the trees around them. In addition to generating a positive impact on the environment, this is also an activity that makes us feel better.
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