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Greener Cities Linked to Better Mental Health Outcomes
Published 1 month ago
Description
- Living in greener neighborhoods is linked to significantly fewer hospitalizations for mental illness, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, and dementia
- A global analysis of 11.4 million cases found that just a small increase in vegetation density reduced mental health hospital admissions by 7%
- Urban residents experienced the strongest benefits — cities with more parks and tree-lined streets saw 13% fewer psychiatric hospitalizations
- Researchers discovered that the ideal balance for mental well-being is when about half your surroundings are green; both too little and too much vegetation reduce benefits
- Spending at least 30 minutes a day in moderate greenery, walking outdoors, or adding plants to your home helps lower stress hormones, boost focus, and improve emotional resilience