Walking in Nature or on the Streets: Which is Better for Health?

 

                                                                                    Walking in Nature

Walking in Nature or on the Streets: Which is Better for Health?

If we imagine someone who decides to spend time in nature, we see that with every step they take, their feet touch the fallen leaves. The path runs alongside a stream, gently flowing over the gray stones, while a breeze stirs the branches of the trees. Let's compare this beautiful mental image with what walking in the city might look like—with its traffic, congestion, concrete, and glass. Which is better for a person?

The "Secret" is in the Right Path

Walking in nature boosts physical and mental health, reduces stress, and restores focus, according to the Associated Press. But researchers have found that there are many mental health benefits to walking in urban areas as well, saying that one simply needs to find the right path and pay attention to their surroundings. Whitney Fleming, an environmental psychologist at Bangor University in Wales, explained, "Most cities have green spaces. No matter where you are, you can find a beautiful tree."

Less anxiety

Fleming also pointed out that walking, which is a moderate activity, benefits people in general, reducing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, dementia, depression, and many types of cancer. The benefits of walking in nature extend beyond physical activity, as the researcher explained that "humans have an innate and evolutionary inclination to love nature."

Her research concluded that people who were asked to pay attention to greenery while walking were significantly less anxious afterward compared to those who were asked to focus on man-made elements. The first group also reported experiencing more positive feelings.

Fleming added that "having natural elements visible in cities is important in terms of their impact, because one can still benefit even when not surrounded by nature." Vibrant buildings and public spaces can offer "their own subtle charm."

Improved Cognitive Performance and Attention

César San Juan Guillén, a professor of social psychology at the University of the Basque Country in Spain, said that other researchers have challenged the prevailing belief that cities are inherently stressful. He explained that until recently, most environmental research was biased against the built environment, contrasting natural environments with stressful urban environments, such as congested streets.

He compared people spending time in an urban park with green spaces to those spending time in a busy square with a playground and restaurants. Both groups showed improved cognitive performance and attention, as well as a decrease in negative emotions such as anxiety, hostility, and fatigue. However, the group in the built-up square felt more energetic and less stressed.

He also pointed out that spending time in historic urban areas, walking among cemeteries and enjoying panoramic views, for example, evokes "a kind of gentle fascination," noting that "this kind of unintentional attention is perhaps more effective at regaining the kind of attention we lose during work or study."

"Differentiation is sometimes good."

For his part, Tristan Cleveland, an urban planning consultant with the Canadian company Happy Cities, explained that the fields of environmental psychology, neuroscience, and architecture collaborate to better understand how people interact with the human-made environment. Regarding where to walk in cities, Cleveland suggested venturing into areas that evoke a feeling of gentle fascination.

Annabel Aps Stretzen, author of "The Walking Cure" and "52 Ways to Walk," revealed that she experienced a pleasant feeling while walking in several places, suggesting walking-friendly cities such as Boston, Taos, New Mexico, and Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Abbes Stretzen also pointed out that one could head to the nearest historic cemetery to their home, explaining that she prefers the Seven Victorian Cemeteries in London. She concluded by saying, "It's not about green being good and gray being bad," adding, "The truth is, green and gray are very different. And sometimes, the difference is good."