The psychological impact of green: The importance of trees for our well-being.

The greenery around us, the trees we see in parks, squares and even in our own backyards, has a greater impact on our well-being than we often realise. We all experience the calming effect of a walk in the woods or the peaceful view of greenery from our windows.

Trees and green spaces play a crucial role in the urban ecosystem and contribute to the quality of life of city dwellers in ways that go beyond their contribution to the environment. Green public spaces and gardens have a direct impact on our mental health. They help reduce stress, improve our mood and even promote cognitive development in children.

The science behind the psychological benefits of green spaces and trees

Research by RIVM and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) shows that greenery in the environment contributes to both physical and mental health. These studies show that the presence of natural elements such as trees, parks and green spaces can help reduce stress and improve concentration levels at various levels.

The impact of trees and green spaces on stress reduction

Natural environments such as trees and other green spaces have a remarkable ability to reduce stress. Green environments, from street trees to parks and natural areas, have been shown to reduce the damage of stress and promote recovery. This is not only because of the calming effects of looking at nature, but also because a green environment can encourage exercise and social interaction. In addition, the soothing sounds of rustling leaves and birdsong can help reduce stress.

The effect of greenery on mood and emotions

Greenery also has a positive effect on mood and emotions. Contact with nature can increase happiness and reduce stress, contributing to an overall sense of wellbeing. Greenery can also increase vitality and creativity and help people to meet each other. Research shows that patients who had a view of green trees after surgery recovered faster than those who looked at a brick wall, suggesting the positive emotional effects of exposure to greenery.

Trees and children's cognitive development in the digital age

In a world where children spend more time behind computer screens and less time playing outdoors, the role of greenery, and trees in particular, in children's cognitive development is becoming increasingly important. Research shows that exposure to greenery helps improve concentration, memory and learning, which is particularly important for children. With the increasing digitisation and use of mobile devices by children, green spaces can play an important role in offsetting the potential negative effects of reduced physical activity and outdoor play.

Interestingly, children living in green neighbourhoods are 15 per cent less likely to be overweight, suggesting that green environments contribute to healthier lifestyles, even in the digital age. In addition, research shows that the greener the neighbourhood, the less ADHD medication children aged five to 12 take. This highlights the potential of green environments to support children's cognitive skills and well-being at a time when the balance between digital and natural life needs to be constantly adjusted.

Public and private green spaces: differences and similarities

Public and private green spaces are both essential to our health and well-being, but in different ways. Public green spaces, such as parks and playgrounds, are accessible to all and provide opportunities for exercise and relaxation. They encourage social interaction and contribute to community cohesion. On the other hand, private green spaces, such as gardens and green roofs, offer personal and direct access to green. It promotes relaxation and mental health on a more individual basis and contributes to climate change mitigation on a small scale. While both types of green space offer similar benefits, each also has unique characteristics. Public green spaces promote social interaction and a sense of community, while private green spaces provide a more personal connection to nature.

Towards a greener and healthier living environment!

The presence of greenery in our living environment, such as trees and shrubs, is invaluable, with proven benefits for our mental and physical health, from stress reduction to improved concentration and social interaction. It is therefore vital that we continue to green our urban and rural areas, and fortunately we are seeing more and more community, government, corporate and private gardens projects recognising the importance of greenery and incorporating it into their development plans from the outset.