Growing up in nature reduces mental issues

[Dragoon]

In 1950, two-thirds of us lived in rural settings, with just one-third living in cities. That balance is rapidly shifting, and experts now expect that by 2050 the numbers will be turned all the way around. As this transition occurs, scientists are racing to understand the impact such urbanization will have on us. An unusually thorough study has just been published in PNAS that suggests growing up surrounded by vegetation dramatically reduces the odds of acquiring a mental disorder as an adult.

The implication is that we'd better start making sure that our burgeoning urban centers provide ample green spaces in which children can play and enjoy growing up. Lead author of the study, Kristine Engemann of Aarhus University, says, "With our dataset, we show that the risk of developing a mental disorder decreases incrementally the longer you have been surrounded by green space from birth and up to the age of 10. Green space throughout childhood is therefore extremely important."

The study looked at 16 mental disorders. There's been a sense from earlier studies that growing up in purely concrete and steel environments may lead to mood disorders, schizophrenia, and cognitive impairment, but there are other well-documented factors that can lead to these disorders as well, including socioeconomic status, family history, and urbanization itself. The problem in assessing the specific impact of green spaces has been devising a research methodology that can factor out these other influences. This new study achieves that by cleverly leveraging a large data set: The Danish Civil Registration System.

...

While not all of the disorders seemed to have been significantly impacted by exposure to green spaces — learning disabilities, for example, were apparently unaffected by it — others were strongly correlated to a lack of greenery such as alcoholism. Overall, growing up in a green environment lowered the chances of acquiring a disorder by anywhere from 15% to 55%.

These are not insignificant numbers when considering disorder triggers. "Green space," says Engemann, "seemed to have an association that was similar in strength to other known influences on mental health, like history of mental health disorders in the family, or socioeconomic status." NPR asked neurologist Kelly Lambert for her take on the study. "The effect is remarkable. If we were talking about a new medicine that had this kind of effect the buzz would be huge, but these results suggest that being able to go for a walk in the park as a kid is just as impactful."

https://bigthink.com/mind-brain/gree...-mental-health

[TheMaestro]

You are far more relaxed living on countryside.

[de Burgh II]

Quite true. Cultures that stress long working hours, very competitive markets and studying various assortments of subjects in an already busy lifestyle has a tendency to neurologically mess with one's cognition via environmental triggers on a person's genetic dispositions.

Whereas simple rural lifestyles nurtures and eases one's mind that is in tune with the harmony of the natural environment; that goes back to the era of our ancestral forebears.

[GreentheViper]

Makes sense. From personal experience, although I didn't grow up in a rural setting, It's still relaxing and calming to take a walk in the forest or climb a mountain.

[Alenka]

An unusually thorough study has just been published in PNAS that suggests growing up surrounded by vegetation dramatically reduces the odds of acquiring a mental disorder as an adult.

Maybe being surrounded by vegetation is part of it. But I think not being surrounded by people as much, which tends to be the case if you live in nature, could also play a role. Many people are toxic. It seems the study completely ignored this factor.

[Lazio]

Maybe being surrounded by vegetation is part of it. But I think not being surrounded by people as much, which tends to be the case if you live in nature, could also play a role. Many people are toxic. It seems the study completely ignored this factor.

However, we can't be sure how many of these people are like that from birth or actually because they have been spoiled by a city life (high levels of stress, pollution, drugs, fast foods, over exposition to sexual and/or violent content, etc). I think if we could trace that we would see that many lives that are toxic wouldn't be like that otherwise (if they had a normal environment while they grew up).

[Rædwald]

I think this will continue to become less true as technological advancement brings the culture of larger centers to people in rural communities.

[Lazio]

I think this will continue to become less true as technological advancement brings the culture of larger centers to people in rural communities.

Probably... but I think in the long run (a couple of centuries) the ones that will be alive will actually start to mentally cope with this environment and those that are too sensitive and getting lost nowadays (mental problems) will not pass their genes on. But this scenario will only happen if technology keeps improving non-stop, of course, not taking in account that we can actually reach a plateau or be held back because of some other issues like big revolts.

[Dragoon]

Agreed with the comments here.

Nature itself (trees, lakes, etc) obviously is good for you.
Also there is less technology and a slower lifestyle. In the city its all rush rush gotta get to work, check this and that, more people, and so on.

[RenaRyuguu]

Duh