By Katie Koenig
On Friday, November 22nd at 1 pm, Senior Executive-in-Residence Brenna McCormick is hosting a workshop called “Sustain Your Brain! Care for Your Creativity” as part of the Teach In On Sustainability. Our current climate challenges are best confronted by thinking outside of the box. Creative problem-solving and communication are at the heart of climate solutions. However, this requires self-care to maintain your own creativity and motivation for innovative thinking.
I mentioned in an earlier post on the Esplanade that local governments have been focused on the health benefits of green spaces for centuries. Right here in Boston, the Esplanade was designed in the 1800s after the city became concerned over public sanitation, not helped by several outbreaks of cholera at the time. The development of other parks in Boston follow similar considerations for the benefits of green spaces.
I’m sure we’ve all heard that fresh air improves our mental health. According to a 2018 report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which also has a summary page, being in green spaces allows for greater social interaction, which is plain to see if you ever walk by (or participate in yourself) the dog-friendly section of the Boston Common. Plus, just spending time outdoors is proven to reduce cortisol, which is released in response to stress.
Other studies have shown that living near natural spaces can also improve your attention span, concentration, and impulse control. Reduction of attention fatigue, improvements to cardiovascular health, and generally lower mortality rates occurred among individuals with access to green spaces, especially those that lived in urban areas.
Mental health benefits aren’t the whole story, though. The Department of Agriculture explains the numerous physical benefits of green spaces. Areas with greater tree coverage reduce the heat island effect, improve air and water quality, and even reduce the noise of urban living instead of the echo chamber that looming city buildings create. On a more individual level, exercising outdoors also tends to lead to longer, more intensive exercise compared to indoor workouts.
The next time you take a break or decide what to do for the day, consider going outdoors! Know that the mental benefits that people so often reference are scientifically supported. Regardless, it’s often really rewarding to take a break from being cooped up inside all day. Whatever impact winter has on you, whether seasonal depression, cabin fever, or just plain boredom, there are so many more benefits to going outdoors despite the cold.
Plus, Boston has so many locations you can take advantage of, whether by taking a walk, spending time along the Charles River, hiking, or just admiring the view! I’ve covered many parks in my Green History series, especially locations in the Emerald Necklace, but there are so many more, and I could never find them all even with all the time in the world.
There are so many occasions where stress and poor health can restrict us, but our lives are our own to design. Take a walk outside during your lunch break, take advantage of calmer winter days when we get them, and when the sun is up, consider going outside to say hi! There are always ways to center our own well-being in the incredibly chaotic world we live in, and hopefully you now know the benefits of spending time among greenery, which is just one strategy among many to help yourself.