Live a long time yes, but in good health is even better. According to a study by Drees that Current wife explained to you, at 65 years old, women can hope to live in good health until 76.8 years in France, and men aged 65 until 75.2 years. But how do we live a long, healthier life? Certain lifestyle habits are recommended to extend life expectancy, such as paying attention to your diet, ensuring regular physical activity and pampering your quality of sleep, among others. According to a scientific study, geographic location too would have a significant impact on physical and mental health.
Access to green and blue spaces for the elderly
Living in a metropolis, by the sea or in the mountains will not have the same repercussions on your end of life. American researchers have looked into the question and more particularly asked themselves what role could nature have? on the health of older people. To answer this thorny question, a team from Washington State University looked into the possible correlation between proximity to green and blue spaces and physical and mental well-being elders. As a reminder, a blue space is an urban planning term which designates an external environment, natural or artificial, with a water point, for example a port, a river, a lake, a pond, etc.
There research draws on data from more than 42,000 people aged at least 65. All lived in urban areas of Washington State between 2011 and 2019. Participants answered multiple questions, including their access to green and blue spaces, such as forests, parks, lakes and rivers. At the same time, they also spoke about their mental health. Of all, 19% reported fair or poor general health, and almost 2% showed signs of serious psychological distress.
More green spaces for better health
After analysis, scientists observed thata 10% increase in forest area in the residential postal code of a person was associated with a reduction in serious psychological distress, which includes mental health problems requiring treatment and interfering with social life, work or school. Furthermore, a 10% increase in green spaces, tree areas, bodies of water or the length of trails reduces the risk of reporting general health as fair or poor.
Thus, small differences in the availability of urban green and blue spaces may be associated with better mental and physical health among seniors. “Our results suggest that the loss of our urban green and blue spaces due to rapid urbanization could impact not only the environment, but also on public health“, commented the study’s lead author, Adithya Vegaraju, a medical student at Washington State University.
Prescription of nature, beneficial for mental health
Furthermore, Adithya Vegaraju explains that older people suffering from depression, anxiety or more generally mental health problems are “known to be more resistant” to medical interventions or talk therapy, in other words to recommended flagship treatments. For the scientist, if exposure to green or blue spaces can help prevent, delay or even cure poor mental health in the elderly,we need to look at it more closely as a way to improve mental health outcomes in this population“. According to the author, a potential solution could be what is called nature prescription, a growing trend which consists of healthcare professionals prescribing, in writing, their patients to spend time outdoors.
Sources:
Urban green and blue spaces and general and mental health among older adults in Washington state: Analysis of BRFSS data between 2011-2019 – Health & Place
Better mental, physical health in older people tied to living near nature – Washington State University