Country walks reduce depression - is this really news?

The Independent and Guardian reported recently on the results of several studies at the University of Essex that showed that country walks can help reduce depression and raise self-esteem - indeed walks in nature yield better results than anti-depressants - and prisoners with a view of nature are less violent, older people find their mental health improves when a pet or small child comes to visit, children relax and become cheerful in a school garden and patients heal faster when a tree is outside their window..

Photo: Godsell cows overlooking Stonehouse

And this is news?? Dear oh dear what a world we live in...As Ecotherapist Linda Buzzell-Saltzman writes in her newsletter: "How have we come to the absurd place where such simple, eternal verities are 'news'? Didn't we know that a walk in nature raised our mood? Surely we noticed that babies and puppies trigger joy in our hearts, bringing warmth to our souls even in dark times?"

In the era of 'evidence-based medicine' we must have scientific proof - well at last that research is available - but it is still too narrow - what about simple touch? Research is now showing the profound healing effects of soothing hands on skin and that time in the garden calms blood pressure and anxiety while raising spirits....and more!

I was also intrigued to read that new research at Imperial College London shows a significant link between environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviours and personal well-being: people who live a more eco-friendly lifestyle have improved well being.

The comprehensive survey of 700 anonymous individuals analysed people's levels of 'greenness' by examining their awareness of environmental issues and their behaviour, for example the amount they cycled or walked rather than drove. The participants then reported their subjective well-being by assigning scores to statements about their life satisfaction, personal development and social well-being. The research revealed that those people who live more 'eco-lifestyles' tend to score significantly higher in subjective well-being assessments. The report's author Matthew Mellen explains: "It is really common sense, human culture is found within the natural world. At a fundamental level harm to the environment is harm to us. Conversely healthy, secure human societies require healthy, stable eco-systems. A growing body of research links planetary and personal well-being. It is fascinating to note that the solution to global warming is likely to be equitable sharing of 'carbon rights' which should contribute to making the world a safer, happier place."

Matthew added that although traditional economics suggests that well-being is a function of increasing consumption and that continuous economic growth is required for on-going increases in well-being. This study suggests the opposite - he said: "On going economic growth seems to be responsible for the twin ills of environmental degradation and declines in human well-being."

"How does health care change when symptoms are seen as signals from the larger world or signs of disconnection from it?"
Sarah A. Conn, Ph.D., The Ecopsychology Institute at the Center for Psychological & Social Change; Instructor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School

For more evidence of natures healing powers visit here.