Lowe income people do better when they are out in nature
Data from a representative sample of the Austrian population indicates that nature contact has a stronger correlation with well-being for individuals with lower incomes. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Vienna and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna and recently published in the journal Health & Place, found that this pattern was only observed when people actively visited nature, not just when they lived near green spaces.
Access to green and blue spaces plays a significant role in reducing income-related health disparities. Across different cultures, nature has been recognized for its healing properties. For example, “Shinrin-Yoku” is Japanese for “forest bathing,” and “friluftsliv” describes the ancient Nordic philosophy of outdoor life. The researchers found that people on low incomes are particularly at risk for mental health problems, making nature contact a potential means of promoting good mental and physical health.
Importance of Nature Activities
Forest bathing can help mental health and your relationships.
The study, which surveyed 2,300 individuals across Austria, found that while people with higher incomes generally reported higher well-being, well-being among the poorest in society was much higher among those who visited nature often. In fact, poorer individuals who visited several times a week experienced nearly as high levels of well-being as the richest respondents. This pattern was evident both for Austria as a whole and for urban Vienna.
The results also revealed that well-being benefits from actively visiting nature were similar to those resulting from an increase in annual income, emphasizing the importance of nature activities over residential proximity to green spaces. The study underscores the importance of creating accessible natural recreation areas, particularly for socio-economically disadvantaged groups, to promote mental and physical well-being.
Comments
