Nature: Just What the Doctor Ordered
What Europeans figured out about green spaces and happiness
As I was reading Meg Fischer’s post about enjoying the oh-so-loved-by Scandinavians friluftsliv (open-air life) in Denmark, I was nodding along and remembering my own nature adventures there.
It’s true that Nordic people put a great emphasis on enjoying the outdoors in any weather and they start at a young age. No wonder they’re some of the happiest people in the world.
Spending time in nature has been proven to have positive effects on both physical and mental health. Nature time is even prescribed by doctors for anxiety treatment.
I first experienced this benefit when I first moved to London from Los Angeles seven years ago, exhausted, burned out (thanks, LA film industry) and in need of a change of scenery. And a change of scenery I found!
What I didn’t know at the time was that 47% of London is devoted to green spaces. It’s so green indeed that it recently became the first city to be called a National Park City. Yes, the capital of the United Kingdom is also a park. Let that sink in.
I spent so many hours exploring the city’s many grasslands, canals and nearby forests that my mom used to laugh at the photos I sent to her: “Are you sure you’re in London and not a village?”
She made the same comment last month when I sent her the photos I took of my daughter playing in the woodlands and visiting London’s many city farms. I reminded her that the joke was old.
And so was the feeling of peace and calm that washed over me again as I walked through park after park, rain (oh, so much rain!) or (occasional shine). There’s no such thing as too many parks I decided.
One might argue that we have plenty of nature here in California and, yes, we do. However, most of it is not easily accessible without a car and, certainly, it is not free.
Entrance to our local beach is $9, local parks - over $10. Unless, of course, you’re lucky (rich) enough to live within walking distance. Even then, to access our beaches you need to cross over a highway that stretches along the coast. It’s a noisy and stressful crossing, and my Danish husband couldn’t believe this was the best solution our city planners could come up with.
We do have a small park 20 mins away on foot and I’ve been making a point of going there five days a week with my daughter since returning from London. Just to stay sane. And while I’m there, it works.
On the way back, I put on my noise-canceling headphones and pretend I’m not surrounded by hundreds of cars, beeping and screeching and speeding off the second I finish crossing the road (or before).
But this is a story for another day…
Let’s celebrate the nature around us. Because we ARE nature. And it comes as no surprise that we are at our calmest and happiest when we reunite.
I had no idea that London was so green! I love that.
Before we moved here, we lived in Austin, TX, and we experienced so much of what you're describing in California -- green spaces are surrounded by cars and major roads and tend to come with an entrance fee. I'm so spoiled now by how available all the green space is -- and I'm excited to spend time in Sweden and Norway, where the freedom to roam laws make the land equally belong to everyone.
I'm glad you've been able to find a little slice of green happiness where you are. It makes such a difference.
Great post!