Urban green spaces offer a natural boost for mental wellbeing
Experts suggest that urban green spaces are essential for mental health, providing city dwellers with a necessary environment to recover from the stress of urban life. Regular interaction with nature is linked to improved mood and reduced mental fatigue.
Why it matters
As urbanization increases, the integration of accessible green spaces becomes a critical public health strategy for maintaining community well-being.
Green public spaces offer city dwellers a welcome place to decompress, boost endorphins and reconnect with nature. (Bernama pic)
KOTA BHARU: As the day begins to cool, parks across the country gradually fill with life. Some people arrive for a brisk walk or jog; others cycle, sit beneath the trees or spend time with their families away from traffic, screens and the demands of work.
The appeal is easy to understand: these leafy spaces offer room to move, breathe and slow down.
But their value may go much deeper. According to clinical psychologist Hilwa Abdullah @ Mohd Nor, green spaces can act as “psychological recovery spaces”, helping people unwind from the noise, congestion and constant stimulation of urban life.
Spending time around nature has been linked to lower stress, improved mood and reduced mental fatigue, said Hilwa, a senior lecturer at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
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