Green Space and Depression: What the Data Shows

“The earth has music for those who listen.”
- William Shakespeare

We often talk about nature as comforting. But researchers are beginning to measure its impact more precisely.

A large 2018 study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences followed people living near green spaces and found that those with more access to natural environments showed lower rates of depression and anxiety disorders over time.

Another study from Denmark tracking over 900,000 individuals found that children who grew up with less exposure to green space had a significantly higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders later in life.

That doesn’t mean trees are a cure.

But it does mean environment matters.

Our brains evolved in landscapes, not parking lots. The absence of natural input may subtly increase cognitive load and emotional strain.

When people say they feel “better” after time outside, that isn’t imagination. There are measurable correlations between green exposure and mental health outcomes.

Sometimes the environment is part of the treatment

Journal Prompts

If you are so inclined ... writing about your emotions and needs has been proven to be beneficial in helping to gain peace and alleviate stress. There’s no right way to answer.

What kind of natural environment feels most restorative to me — woods, water, open fields, mountains?

How much green space exists in my daily life right now? What small shift would increase it?

Videos & Books

If quiet moments might help you reset, or if you are unable to get to a natural setting, here are some YouTube channels focused on nature, including my own, The Nature Break. Also included are some books on the benefits and beauty of nature.

YouTube Nature Channels:

• Naturscapes: Long-format videos with a single shot of natural beauty. Nature sounds are the backdrop.

• The Nature Break: Nature walks set to quiet music, short duration 2- 4 minutes

Books:

• Walking by Henry David Thoreau

• Nature Fix by Florence Williams

Featured Video: Please enjoy this video from the Nature Break…

Comments

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