Greetings to each of you. As we all adjust to the new reality of our lives with the COVID 19 virus, the news can seem overwhelming.
These circumstances have reaffirmed how wonderful the gift of Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary is for our local community as more families than we have seen in the past are using the Sanctuary as a place to walk with their children. And it’s not just families; walkers of every age are using the Sanctuary. With 450 acres it is easy enough to maintain social distancing and still enjoy being outside.
How long does it take to get a dose of nature high enough to make people say they feel healthy and have a strong sense of well-being? In a study of 20,000 people, a team led by Mathew White of the European Centre for Environment & Human Health at the University of Exeter, found that people who spent two hours a week in green spaces — local parks or other natural environments, either all at once or spaced over several visits — were substantially more likely to report good health and psychological well-being than those who don’t. The study, published last June, stated that the effects cut across different occupations, ethnic groups, people from rich and poor areas, and people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. “It’s well-known that getting outdoors in nature can be good for people’s health and well-being, but until now we’ve not been able to say how much is enough,” White said. “Two hours a week is hopefully a realistic target for many people, especially given that it can be spread over an entire week to get the benefit.”
For more details see https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-health
Jeri Maurer, SBC President