Public health challenges associated with urbanization are increasing day by day. Problems of heart disease and depression are very common due to a hectic life schedule.
But a new study has revealed that there is a simple solution
Just 30 minutes a week spent outdoors – whether you’re visiting the park, exploring new tracks, hiking, or walking in the woods can help in reducing depression and lower your risk of developing high blood pressure.
The study was conducted by the University of Queensland (UQ) and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CEED). The study also found that city residents who visit parks not only enjoy benefits such as reduced risk of developing heart disease, stress, anxiety, and depression but are also more comfortable being in social situations.
UQ CEED researcher Dr. Danielle Shanahan said, “If everyone visited their local parks for half an hour each week there would be seven percent fewer cases of depression and nine percent fewer cases of high blood pressure.” She added, “Given that the societal costs of depression alone in Australia are estimated at $A12.6 billion a year, savings to public health budgets across all health outcomes could be immense.”
This solution is simple: it costs nothing and rejuvenates us for the hectic day ahead. So let’s turn off our computers and go for a walk at a nearby park.
