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Wellness

The Health and Wellness Benefits of Nature

Research is underway on the relationship between time spent in greenery, nature, and health.

For example, in Japan, shinrinyoku practices of walking amongst trees have been found to have scientifically supported positive benefits. (1)

More broadly, the research program divides into two techniques.

  1. Residential proximity – well advanced
  2. Direct exposure – underway

1) Residential proximity, for example the amount green spaces within one kilometer of one’s home. For more on the results of this approach, please follow this link.

Residential proximity research makes use of satellite data and big data techniques in general. However, what is not known is the frequency that people use the green space, or whether they regularly visit green space outside the residential proximity definition. For this, it is necessary to measure directly the time spent in natural environments.

2) Direct exposure, for example by direct monitoring or surveys. One study, (2) for example investigated the relationship between recreational nature contact in the last seven days and self-reported health and well-being measures. Weekly contact was measured in one-hour blocks. The study’s conclusion is interesting:

Compared to no nature contact last week, the likelihood of reporting good health or high well-being became significantly greater with contact ≥120 mins. Positive associations peaked between 200–300 mins per week with no further gain. The pattern was consistent across key groups including older adults and those with long-term health issues. It did not matter how 120 mins of contact a week was achieved (e.g. one long vs. several shorter visits/week).

In summary, two to four hours a week of recreational nature exposure, e.g., walking in large parks, woods, the countryside, is recommended.

Reference:

  1. J-Wellness 2020: the economics, career options, and investment opportunities, page 74, by Peter Eadon-Clarke and Yoriko Soma
  2. Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing, by Mathew P. White, Ian Alcock, James Grellier, Benedict W. Wheeler, Terry Hartig, Sara L. Warber, Angie Bone, Michael H. Depledge & Lora E. Fleming, June 2019

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By Peter Eadon-Clarke

Advisor, Conceptasia Inc.
Peter Eadon-Clarke is a specialist in J-Wellness, product and technique trends, wellness tourism and the Stress Check Program. Peter has extensive experience managing complex multicultural teams; roles held during 14 years at Macquarie Capital Securities (Japan) limited included branch manager, global head of economics and Tokyo head of research. Previously, positions included UBS Trust and Banking in Tokyo as chief investment officer, CIO at Sumitomo Life Investment and CIO for the Pacific Basin at GT (now Invesco).