Green Space Helps Depression by Reducing Mental Load

“Nature is not a place to visit.
It is home.”

-Gary Snyder

Depression is often described as emotional pain, but it is also cognitive strain.

Research shows that depression is associated with increased mental load...more effort spent thinking, evaluating, monitoring, and ruminating. The brain works harder while feeling worse.

Studies in environmental psychology have found that access to green space is associated with lower rates of depression, particularly in urban environments. One large population study showed that people living near green spaces had up to a 30% lower risk of depression and anxiety disorders over time.

Nature reduces demand. There’s less to track. Less to decide. Less to defend against. The brain is allowed to rest from itself.

This doesn’t mean nature cures depression. But it can soften the conditions that keep it heavy. Sometimes relief comes not from adding support, but from removing strain.

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 feels mentally heavy for me right now?

Where in my day do I notice even brief moments of reduced effort?

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:

• Walks of Wonder: Lovely nature walks…nature sounds. Long-duration footage.

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

Books:

• Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey

• The Peace of Wild Things (essay collections) by Wendell Berry

Featured Video:

Please enjoy this video from The Nature Break…

Comments

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The Nature Break

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