Reimagining our connection with nature
Paritosh helps us reevaluate the importance of having access to nature, giving nature the credit it deserves for its many health benefits.
It’s no secret that COVID-19 has transformed everyone’s lives. During the lockdowns, people were confined indoors and had to change the way they interacted with others. Pandemic mandates left individuals more likely to experience distress, which in turn influenced mental health at an interpersonal and societal level. Furthermore, COVID-19 disproportionately impacted people in marginalised communities, thus amplifying disparities which existed beforehand. Considering the impact of the pandemic, it is critical to examine how optimal health can be restored for all.
One possible method involves a stronger connection with nature. At an individual level, this bond can rekindle a sense of peace in people’s daily lives. At a policy level, a greater incorporation of nature spaces within communities could result in reduced crime and encourage stronger social bonds. Thus, nature contributes to both individual and societal wellness.
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“nature contributes to both individual and societal wellness”
Prior to the pandemic, most Americans reported spending "five or fewer hours per week outdoors in nature". The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routines and required behavioural adaptations. While exposure to nature may have increased for some people, this is not the case for everyone. Socioeconomically disadvantaged communities stand to benefit the most from greater access to urban green spaces but they are often the ones who are likely to have the least. Communities with less access to nature spaces had higher rates of COVID-19.
“in light of the global mental health crisis, access to nature is a critical variable in the evaluation of long-term COVID-19 outcomes”
Moreover, in light of the global mental health crisis, access to nature is a critical variable in the evaluation of long-term COVID-19 outcomes. Research suggests that nature exposure is linked to several benefits such as decreased stress and “reduced risk of psychiatric disorders”. There is also evidence that happiness is predicted by the degree to which individuals feel connected to nature; activities such as gardening, therapy (e.g., ‘forest bathing’), and exercise that take place in natural spaces can enhance adult mental health. Furthermore, for individuals with mental health disorders, physical activity in natural environments, such as hiking, has been shown to have a positive effect. But while time in nature can be a great coping mechanism for individuals, it is imperative to study how nature can be best utilised to influence more macroscopic change.
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“research indicates that the presence of green space in cities influences levels of crime”
Beyond these individual level benefits, nature should also be an important consideration in policy decisions. For instance, research indicates that the presence of green space in cities influences levels of crime. Outdoor green spaces, if “properly designed and maintained”, can help to “reduce violent crime and gun violence”.
Nature also elicits benefits at the community level by providing a space for greater social engagement. Relationships formed in outdoor spaces can strengthen networks of social support and increase social capital, leading to civic engagement such as volunteering.
Although much research highlights the benefits of certain green spaces, other findings warn that “closed green spaces” are associated with lower social safety. Nature is capable of both uplifting and uniting people but it can also be associated with danger—the relationship between green space and crime is not straightforward. Better understanding of the impact of green spaces on individuals and society is needed in order to optimise results.
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Inequity of access also remains a serious issue to consider when making policy recommendations for green spaces. Strategies to address this could emphasise better provision of green infrastructure such as forests and parks. It is also critical to tackle ‘green gentrification’, which occurs when changes to the environment are made without addressing the priorities of existing communities, leaving residents feeling excluded from green spaces and alienated from the community. For this reason, policymakers must be careful in the way green spaces are used so they sufficiently serve those who need them most.
“As individuals return to pre-pandemic lifestyles, the role of nature cannot be overstated”
As individuals return to pre-pandemic lifestyles, the role of nature cannot be overstated. Despite the disruptions experienced across societal institutions, many existing resources can be used and repurposed. Nature can be a part of everyone’s lives despite their separate identities and journeys, and may also be used to achieve targeted, community-based reform. Nature is not just a space to enjoy pastimes, but also an essential facet of human society. If utilised properly, it will empower everyone to achieve positive wellbeing while creating a safer world.