Daily Times

It’s official, spending time outside is good for you. Doing so can slash the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and even stress, a major report claims.

Data from almost 300 million people was analysed as part of the review of existing studies delving into nature’s supposed benefits.

Researchers hope the discovery – which backs up years of research – will prompt doctors to recommend patients spend more time in green spaces.

University of East Anglia scientists studied data from 20 countries, including the UK and the US, to make the conclusion.

They also assessed the effect of nature on people in Australia, Europe and Japan – where Shinrin yoku, or forest bathing, is popular.

‘Green space’ was defined as open, undeveloped land with natural vegetation as well as urban greenspaces, such as parks and street greenery.

The team compared the health of people with little access to green spaces to that of people with the highest amounts of exposure.

A diverse range of health benefits from spending time in, or living close to, natural green spaces was uncovered.

Caoimhe Twohig-Bennett, a PhD student and lead author of the study, admitted they are unsure what causes the benefits found.

Published in Daily Times, July 8^th 2018.