In 1984, researcher Ulrich conducted a study in which hospital records of patients assigned to rooms in PA hospital were examined between 1972 and 1981. The room dimensions and availability and proximity to nurses were identical, and the only difference between the rooms were what could be seen through the window – either trees or a brick wall.
The results of the study were groundbreaking. Actually, that might be an understatement. For the room with a view of trees, the number of days the patient was hospitalized was significantly smaller than for the room with a view of wall. Furthermore, an examination of nurses’ notes revealed that patients with views of the trees showed significantly fewer negative events that nurses had to report or write down. In fact, the patients with a view of trees needed fewer analgesics and showed fewer postoperative minor complications.
This might seem silly, but it’s true and it has been backed up by countless other studies. Ulrich later explained his results, claiming that “views of vegetation, and especially water, appear to sustain interest and attention more effectively than urban views.” He further claimed that “natural views elicit positive feelings, reduce fear in stressed subjects, hold interest, and may block or reduce stressful thoughts.”
In other words, green spaces hold a lot of power in restoring our mindset and body from anxiety and stress. This may seem too extreme or raise suspicion, but countless other studies have discovered several magical and restorative benefits of nature.
Another study conducted by White and Heerwagen in 1998 showed that patients showed less stress on days when a doctor’s waiting room contained a mural of nature rather than a blank wall. In another study conducted by Tennessen and Cimprich in 1995, university students scored higher on tests when they were given a view of nature. And in a study conducted by Kuo and Sullivan in 2001, vegetation reduced the crime in inner-city housing.
Benfield in 2015 conducted a study with undergraduates enrolled in Introductory College Composition course. The instructors randomly assigned the students to a section and to a particular classroom. There was no difference between the attendance. Performance on the midterms showed no difference, but for performance on finals, students with a classroom that had windows viewing nature performed significantly better. Furthermore, in course evaluations in which students were asked their perceptions about the importance of the subject, those who had a view of nature had significantly higher assessments.
What’s the purpose of my citing so many different pieces of scientific literature about green spaces? Green spaces have a tremendous amount of physical and psychological benefits, whether that is decreasing anxiety or improving test performances. How can you take this information and apply it to your own lifestyle? First, try to get outside enough. Even sitting outside in the day and seeing the grass and trees and getting sunlight is sufficient to garner the amazing benefits of nature. Going on walks outside can significantly improve test performance and attention in class. Visiting a park or hiking down a trail or even just walking down a garden can significantly improve school performance, overall mood and positive affect, and happiness.
I hope you go outside and view the nature! Best of luck, and as always, much gratitude for reading all the way through!
Naman
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