by MPC Foundation
In a recent article by The Washington Post, Meeri Kim detailed that spending a few hours each week can result in several health benefits, such as:
• Enhanced cognitive function
• Lower blood pressure
• Improved mental health
• Better sleep
• Reduced body stress
• A lower risk of dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other neurodegenerative disorders
It is still unclear why this is, but theorists suggest that being around greener areas like forests and parks encourages more physical activities and provides opportunities to connect with others.
There have also been other reports that indicate nature is good for one’s health. A study of almost 62 million Medicare recipients showed that U.S. residents aged 65 and older who lived in the greener residential areas had a lower rate of hospitalizations concerning Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other forms of dementia. Those who lived near bodies of water, like lakes, rivers, and oceans, with dedicated land space towards parks, also showed fewer hospital admissions for just Parkinson’s disease.
Furthermore, Jochem Klompmaker, a research fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, has looked into the relationship between air and sound pollution to one’s health, believing that these factors may be associated with dementia-related diseases. When observing the different environments, researchers concluded that better air quality that came from greener spaces like parks led to fewer hospitalizations. However, the number of cases was still large. This indicates that other issues are responsible for most dementia-related hospitalizations.
Therefore, to reduce your chances of developing dementia, Parkinson’s or any other neurodegenerative disease, it is important to keep your brain mentally active and healthy. To do this while also incorporating nature, make sure to:
• Regularly exercise – Walk, run, swim, or bike to ensure you maintain a healthy weight.
• Be socially active – Continuing to learn and interact with others can support brain health.
