Géraldine Zamansky, journalist for Health Magazine on France 5, encourages us to go green. An Australian team has just taken stock of 92 scientific studies. And the benefits of a simple walk in nature or in an urban park or in your garden are immediate.
franceinfo: Scientific studies show that nature could become a prescription treatment, to improve our physical and mental health?
Géraldine Zamansky : Absolutely. It is even the very serious assessment of 92 scientific studies. They have been analyzed by an Australian team which concludes with significant benefits. With objective effects on blood pressure for example, reduced by several points. And nice improvements for people with depression or anxiety.
This comes as no surprise to Dr Mélissa Lem, who directs
the national prescription nature program, in Canada. Dr. Lem can prescribe to his patients 20 minutes daily, in nature. She explained to me that this “dose” was established from a 2019 American study, which was undoubtedly in the Australian report.
His results show a drop in the amount of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the saliva of people who spend even just 5 minutes in a park. And this drop becomes really spectacular, from 20 minutes. Hence Dr. Lem’s prescription.
Being in nature is so calming, it’s quite intuitive. But can this appeasement have an effect on our physical health?
Yes, this cortisol, for example, is in fact involved in a large number of balances in our organism. When it remains high for too long, it increases the risk of chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Excess cortisol also reduces our immune defenses against viruses and bacteria. It is these types of scientific arguments that Dr. Lem uses to convince his patients to spend more time in nature. If it’s too difficult every day, two hours straight on the weekend would be just as effective.
But do you have to go to the bottom of a forest to feel this benefit?
Well no ! A park in a city or even a simple garden can suffice. The criterion specified by Dr. Lem is to really have the feeling of being in nature. So of course it’s easier if there’s no car noise and you only hear the birds singing. But even in a small square, taking the time to focus your attention on the flowers and new leaves of spring can reap rewards.
The next step desired by Dr. Lem is the development of accompanied activities to stimulate more reluctant Canadians. For the moment, everything depends on everyone’s availability and the proximity of green spaces.