Getting back to nature for better mental health

A walk in the park could do wonders to your mental health. Photo: CNSA Many people in Hong Kong are feeling depressed. According to a study published in July by the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong, 9.1 percent of the respondents were suspected to be suffering from depression, a level never seen before. Professor Gabriel Leung Cheuk-wai, dean of the faculty, said the current mental health problem in Hong Kong can be described as an “epidemic”. There are agencies providing emotional support services in the community. One is fortunate to have professional support, but everyone should also know how to save oneself. The medical community continues to study depression, its relationship with the environment and individuals. Studies from various universities and research institutions – Harvard University and Stanford University of the United States; Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim, Germany; University of Tampere, Finland, etc. – have consistently seen a strong connection between time spent in nature and reduced stress. One study says that being close to nature could help improve mental health. A walk in a natural setting – the countryside, a park or even an outdoor sports field – could do wonders. It can be as short as 15 minutes, although it is recommended that it be done regularly, say, a few days a week. You can walk alone or together with friends. Another large-scale emotional health study that tracked 10,000 people in the past 20 years indicates that proximity to nature not only improves memory and concentration but also enhances one’s mood. In another study, researchers recruited about 100 white-collar workers in “knowledge-intensive and emotionally demanding” jobs, including media, education, finance, public administration, and healthcare. The subjects were required to alter their habits a bit. Instead of taking […]

Click here to view full article