Urban Nature, Wildlife and Mental Health

We often talk about how animals and birds benefit our ecosystem and sustain our survival. Today, let's talk about the mental health benefits of interacting with nature and wildlife.

Several researchers have concluded that spending time with nature and its elements reduces depression and anxiety, promotes mental wellbeing, lowers stress, improves attention and increases cognitive flexibility. It also reduces the risk of psychiatric disorders and improves interpersonal relationships.

Sadly, because of rapid urbanisation, we have been disconnected from nature. Our routine involves going to work, coming back, doing chores, eating and sleeping. There is hardly any time for recreational activities, let alone spending time in nature. To worsen the situation, we have reduced the green and blue spaces around us, giving us no leeway to spend time with nature's elements.

How can we interact with nature in the urban environment and derive the plethora of mental health benefits? Let's read on!

Green and Blue Nature

Spending time in green spaces has positive effects on mental health. The closer one lives around green spaces the more elevated their moods are. It is not possible for us to lose ourselves in forests and wilderness. But we can substitute the lack of forests with gardens, parks and tree clusters.

Being around green spaces reduces the disturbances of daily life like noise from the vehicles. As we lead busy and consuming professional lives, focusing on everything on a daily basis can be cognitively draining for us which leads to a bitter mood, increased irritability and mental fatigue. Watching and hearing nature calms our sensory perceptions of the world, leading to better attention and alleviation of attention fatigue. This is called Attention Restoration Theory.

Green spaces provide a safe, accessible and attractive place for exercise. Walking, yoga, cycling and jogging are some forms of exercises which people prefer to do in parks and gardens. Green spaces are calming to our senses and increase mindfulness while exercising. Similarly, because we are calmer, our moods are elevated. We often see people socialising in green spaces, mostly in the evenings. Parks and gardens provide a tension free environment to form bonds with other people. Exercising leads to good physical health and social interaction prevents loneliness and leads to better interpersonal relationships, both of which contribute to mental wellbeing.

Bangalore has many gardens and parks. Even though there are fewer trees than in the last decade, our gardens and parks ensure greenery in the city. No wonder people gather in Cubbon Park and Lal Bagh on weekends to exercise and enjoy nature!

Blue spaces like lakes and oceans also have mental health benefits. Although studies are being conducted to find the specific benefits of blue nature, existing research shows that people living around lakes have increased physical activity, lower risk of premature death, are less prone to sensory over stimulation and report generally better mental health. Participating in sports like swimming and water diving helps clear our mind and stimulates our senses in a comforting way.

We always talk about conserving the lakes of Bangalore for the ecosystem. Let's also take conscious efforts to save Bangalore lakes for our own physical and mental health. The more water birds we get to witness, the more we experience the decrease in our cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress.


Urban Wildlife

Climate change is causing depression and anxiety among individuals. This is termed as eco anxiety or ecological grief. It stems from the realisation and fear that nature and its elements are slowly dying. The symptoms can be mild or severe, ranging from restlessness to anxiety attacks to suicidal thoughts.

To deal with this, spending time watching the urban wildlife has proven to be effective. Take out half an hour from your routine everyday and just watch the birds, squirrels, and sometimes snakes and macaques living in your surroundings. Bangalore has rich urban wildlife and these creatures live all around us. You can find them in trees, on terraces and in the ground. As we spend our time observing these creatures, our attention capacity increases. We realise how every animal and bird has their own personality. We learn about their species specific and individual behaviour. This practice increases mindfulness, empathy and kindness.


Eco therapy

Spending time with nature also helps deal with disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder, seasonal affective disorders, anxiety disorders and more. This form of therapy is called eco therapy and its applications are found to be increasingly effective in dealing with mental health disorders and promoting mental wellbeing.

Many therapists today take their clients out for walks in a park, around a lake or to beaches. The sounds of nature calms our senses and makes us feel in control of ourselves. Therapeutic interventions based on exposure to green spaces like parks and gardens and blue spaces like lakes, are used for youth at risk, people with dementia and to deal with stress. People with cardiovascular diseases also benefit from nature exposure.

Feeling a sense of purpose is another way to deal with eco anxiety. Yet another method suggested by psychologists is to make use of the anger and frustration and direct it towards activism. You can take out some time from your week and volunteer at an animal shelter or tree planting organisation. Research shows that spending two hours a week with nature is enough for positive mental health. Realising that your small efforts are making a difference helps soothe your grief and makes you hopeful.

So take out some time from your busy lives and spend some time with nature. Whether you actively contribute to conservation or are just an admirer, nature will make you healthier and happier!

 

References

Mind.org.uk. "Nature and Mental Health", November, 2021. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/nature-and-mental-health/how-nature-benefits-mental-health/

Weir, Kristen. "Nurtured by Nature", American Psychological Association, April, 2020. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature#:~:text=From%20a%20stroll%20through%20a,upticks%20in%20empathy%20and%20cooperation

Douglas, Kate & Douglas, Joe. "Green spaces aren’t just for nature – they boost our mental health too", NewScientist, Match 2021. https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24933270-800-green-spaces-arent-just-for-nature-they-boost-our-mental-health-too/#:~:text=Being%20in%20green%20environments%20boosts,at%20the%20University%20of%20Chicago.

Andrew Hermanski, Jean McClelland, Jennifer Pearce-Walker, John Ruiz & Marc Verhougstraete. "The effects of blue spaces on mental health and associated biomarkers, International Journal of Mental Health'', International Journal of Mental Health, 2021. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00207411.2021.1910173?journalCode=mimh20#:~:text=Two%20studies%20investigated%20blue%20space,than%20merely%20viewing%20blue%20spaces.

Authored by Praanjali Shukla, Volunteer at PfA Bangalore