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People of every age, gender, and creed enjoy beautiful outdoor spaces. But did you know there’s science to support the notion that green spaces improve community health?
According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, environment, vegetation, and connectivity of green spaces were associated with improved health outcomes, although there were some differences based on age and gender.
The report also noted that areas that had greater tree canopies were more impactful than grassland. The primary outcomes that researchers found were health benefits surrounding allergic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular issues, and psychological well-being.
However, the quality of those green spaces matters.
According to the aforementioned study (titled ‘Green Space Quality and Health: A Systematic Review’), "Green spaces may vary in terms of objectively measurable good qualities," while bad qualities may discourage visitation and negate any potential health benefits.
Here are some of the major good qualities the researchers mention that promote wellness and overall mental well-being:
Tree canopy
Footpaths
Seating
The bad qualities listed that discourage visitation to green spaces include:
Proximity to busy roads
Lack of accessibility
Neighbourhood green spaces have been proven to improve mental health, particularly with disadvantaged groups. Green spaces improve mental well-being primarily by creating a place for social interactions, green visibility, and allowing for physical exercise.
However, access to green spaces offer health benefits including improved levels of mental health, physical fitness, cognitive and immune function, and lower mortality rates.
Physical activity has been proven to be beneficial for your mental health. Being active releases chemicals in your brain that cause you to feel good, which can boost self-esteem, help you concentrate, and even make falling asleep easier. What’s more? This is amplified by getting outside.
You know the best part about that? It's something you can do completely free of charge. That would make anybody feel good! A lot of us hesitate to get active because we've been fed the notion that fitness happens in the gym; However, finding exercise you're able to enjoy for minimal to no cost can give you opportunity to get active without the sacrifice.
You can get out of the house, meet people, enjoy the weather and scenery by entering beautiful outdoor spaces.
Reduced tension, stress, and mental fatigue.
A natural boost in energy.
A sense of achievement.
Increased focus and motivation.
Feeling less angry or frustrated.
A healthier appetite.
Enjoyment and having fun.
However, it isn’t just about getting physical (although this is also great!); there are other ways nature can boost your mental health. Research has shown that nature has the natural ability to make people feel happier while reducing levels of depression and anxiety, while also making life feel like it’s more worthwhile.
Here are some simple, easy things you can do in green spaces other than just working out:
Have a picnic with the family.
Attending a weekend farmer’s market.
Go for a leisurely stroll.
Find a bench to do arts and crafts.
Enjoy morning coffee or tea (or any drink, really).
Attend local events held in outdoor public spaces.
Remember, while going outdoors is a fantastic way to give yourself a mental health boost, don’t forget to touch base with your doctor and mental health professionals.
Did you know Canadians spend roughly 90% of their time indoors? Post-pandemic, many people have equipped their homes with most of what they need, whether that's enough food to last a few weeks, a home gym or equipment, and plenty of indoor houseplants.
Many people work from home, too. In the modern era, few of us are likely to leave our homes for anything more than personal obligations like errands. Getting outdoors is great for your physical health, even if you have all the amenities you need to workout at home. Because getting physical outdoors has specific benefits!
Spending time outdoors can boost physical health in a lot of ways, and the best part is, you don't need to spend hours upon hours to reap the benefits. A study conducted in 2019 showed that 120 minutes a week in nature has been connected with good health outcomes and overall well-being. You don’t need to do that all at once, either.
You can either go on a 2-hour walk/jog or even break it up into smaller increments throughout the week. That 120 minutes per week is the sweet spot.
Here are some of the physical benefits of getting exercise outside:
Improved breathing
Better sleep
Increased motivation
Boosted immune function
Improved cardiovascular health
Increased vitamin D
OK, we’ve looked at the research, but how do you practically make a beautiful outdoor space that improves the health of the community? Well, there are a few things you need to keep in mind!
Having the right foliage and outdoor decor makes the space appealing to the community at large.
Having accessible site furniture that makes your green space welcoming to every one of every age and capability.
Classic Displays has everything you need to make healthy green spaces. From benches, to waste and recycling bins, as well as planters and tree guards. Plus, we have a lot more! We’ll get more into the specifics as we continue.
So, how do we create the most beautiful outdoor spaces for your community? Let’s explore.
Keeping your site furniture maintained isn’t just for aesthetics, it’s also to maintain accessibility. Speaking of accessible site furniture , you need to go for options that work well for everyone. Park benches, for example, should have supportive armrests to help those with physical limitations safely rise and stand from the seat.
The bench also needs a lot of clearance around it for wheelchair users.
Here’s how to properly maintain outdoor site furniture:
Clean surfaces regularly with mild soap and water.
Inspect for damage or wear periodically.
Tighten loose screws, bolts, or fasteners.
Apply protective coatings as needed (i.e., paint, sealant).
Remove debris and dirt from around furniture bases.
Store or cover during extreme weather conditions.
Replace damaged components promptly.
Classic Displays has several pieces of accessible site furniture. Check out our Compliant Picnic Table and our Accessible Riverside Bench.
You need some versatile site furniture that can provide a safe place to relax, eat, drink, and enjoy activities. What does that mean? Plenty of picnic tables! Picnic tables are some of the most versatile pieces of site furniture because they can be used as a place to relax and enjoy the surroundings, while also being a perfect surface for activities like arts and crafts, board games, and even chess.
Make sure all outdoor spaces have regular maintenance. This means keeping site furniture in good condition, keeping grass and foliage trimmed and clear from walkways, and the area clear from trash. Keeping this space clean not only improves its aesthetics, but it also promotes community green efforts.
Making sure there is ample trash and recycling bins within reach for disposables means you keep the surrounding area healthy, while ensuring materials are going in the right place. This also gets the community involved in green efforts, making an overall healthier environment for everyone.
You should also invest in signs that encourage people not to litter and “stoop and scoop” after their pets. Also, have a specialized bin for animal waste: no one wants to walk by a trash can that smells like poo.
Check out Classic Displays Urban Flare Container and Fido 25 Dog Waste Bin.
Whether you bike for sport or use it as your primary means of transportation, you need a safe place to store your ride. Green spaces need to have bike racks that are secure enough that those visiting to lock up their bikes to take a break and enjoy the beautiful outdoor space.
Classic Displays is renowned for our stunning Christmas décor, but we also craft high-quality site furniture designed to keep your community green and accessible. If any of our products caught your eye today, we’d love to hear from you!
With over 46 years of experience, our team is ready to meet your community’s needs with expertise and care.
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