Dr Ana Isabel Ribeiro, researcher at the ISPUP and first author of the work together with Margarita Triguero-Mas from the ICTA-UAB says that “we decided to study whether natural, public and private spaces had a beneficial effect on the mental health of Portuguese and Spanish citizens, helping them to better cope with the negative effects of lockdown”.
‘Exposure to nature during COVID-19 lockdown is beneficial for mental health’
Though previous articles have proven the positive impact of exposure to natural spaces on mental health, this study reveals people enjoying exposure to natural spaces during the first COVID-19 lockdown show better mental health indicators.
Spanish citizens benefited good mental health from exposure to nature than Portuguese, even though Spain applied stricter measures to restrict mobility than Portugal.
Public authorities and decision-makers can implement measures in the context of a pandemic as public health crisis to facilitate access to natural public spaces in a safe and controlled manner.
This is important for the most socially and economically vulnerable population groups, and for those who have little access to these spaces in their private context.
Source: Medindia
