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Living Near Trees, Not Just Green Space, Improves Wellbeing

citylab.com

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Re: Living Near Trees, Not Just Green Space, Improves Wellbeing

#151

Post by hibbelig »

mdgrech23 wrote: post #87
jnurmine wrote: post #83

Living near trees implies living in an area where space usage is prioritized for nature instead of the stacked concrete boxes most people (have to?) live in. It is likely a less stressful environment overall than places filled with just concrete walls, asphalt and, at best, some grass. Personally I find tree tops swaying in the wind oddly hypnotic and relaxing. I've thought of why... One reason could be that babies a…

It's evolution. The windows XP homescreen w/ the rolling green hills was chosen b/c it puts us humans at ease. Our monkey brains like wide open pastures b/c we can easily see any incoming predators making us feel safe.

I’ve worked in an office where they gave me Windows 2000, but I didn’t mind because I could see the XP scenery when looking out the office window :-)

Re: Living Near Trees, Not Just Green Space, Improves Wellbeing

#152

Post by lazyasciiart »

quickthrower2 wrote: post #126
sjf wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not funny, it makes sense. Imagine what would happen if you are living in zone 3+, and your friend/partner lives in zone 3+ on the _opposite_ side of London. You could easily have a 90 minute travel time between those two points. In most places a travel time that long would count as being in another city.

Well you could’ve move in with your partner, and meet your friend somewhere. I get what you are saying but London is damn expensive so living out a bit makes sense for many people.

Most people go through a period of time where they are 'dating' someone but not ready to move in.

Re: Living Near Trees, Not Just Green Space, Improves Wellbeing

#153

Post by lazyasciiart »

mikekchar wrote: post #128
kbsletten wrote: post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From the article: > In recent years, study after study has found that living in neighborhoods with abundant green space is linked to positive health outcomes. But it specifically calls out trees as more beneficial than other green spaces. > But when it come to promoting human health, not all green spaces are created equal. That’s the conclusion of new Australian research, which finds higher levels of wellness in area…

I think the OP may have a point, though. You can have an area with lots of big buildings, take one lot and make a "greenspace" with it: some grass, a fountain, some bushes. But to make an area with trees (especially plural), you need some place fairly wide, that has light, and has enough ground water to support the trees. An area that supports those trees will have to be less built up than the average area that can s…

There are plenty of areas in Australian cities with older tree-lined streets, so that should be covered in the study.

Re: Living Near Trees, Not Just Green Space, Improves Wellbeing

#154

Post by ehnto »

outworlder wrote: post #7

Unsurprising result. I was so sad (figuratively speaking) when we moved from an older office - but one which had trees all around and even running water - to a very modern, but boring open floor glass paned antfarm-like building. After some time I got literally depressed. Walking around the concreted block did nothing for me anymore. No trees, no water, no birds, no squirrels. Just cars and a lot of heat in the summe…

I have been stuck inside my house for a month, with a month to go thanks to some broken bones. The house sits across from a park with big trees, lots of birds and people playing sports. I can feel my change in mood and contentment when I look out the window or sit on the porch (weather and mobility permitting). There's also a general ambient pleasantness knowing I'm within the greenery even though I'm inside. It's been keeping me sane!

I'm lucky enough that most of our city is like that, incredibly green. But I have worked in some pretty grim buildings, and would never take an office without windows anymore.

Re: Living Near Trees, Not Just Green Space, Improves Wellbeing

#156

Post by jnurmine »

spraak wrote: post #108
jnurmine wrote: post #83

Living near trees implies living in an area where space usage is prioritized for nature instead of the stacked concrete boxes most people (have to?) live in. It is likely a less stressful environment overall than places filled with just concrete walls, asphalt and, at best, some grass. Personally I find tree tops swaying in the wind oddly hypnotic and relaxing. I've thought of why... One reason could be that babies a…

> One reason could be that babies around here are (like I was) put into baby trolleys to sleep outside, summer and winter. Finland? Sweden?

Both! Finland when I was small and I've done it myself in Sweden. Other Nordic countries do it too.

stevekemp posted a good BBC link.

Re: Living Near Trees, Not Just Green Space, Improves Wellbeing

#157

Post by antpls »

Rothnargoth wrote: post #61

"Exposure to grass was, surprisingly, associated with higher odds of psychological distress." I'm guessing it's the constant maintenance of a lawn that stresses people, and in this case, other people's lawns. That or you're a youtuber or streamer, and the constant sound of lawn equipment is driving you nuts.

You have good points. I would add : constantly have to watch your steps to make sure you dont walk on some animal poop, or some angry bee/hornet that was just lying there

Re: Living Near Trees, Not Just Green Space, Improves Wellbeing

#158

Post by Broken_Hippo »

skrebbel wrote: post #144
outworlder wrote: post #7

Unsurprising result. I was so sad (figuratively speaking) when we moved from an older office - but one which had trees all around and even running water - to a very modern, but boring open floor glass paned antfarm-like building. After some time I got literally depressed. Walking around the concreted block did nothing for me anymore. No trees, no water, no birds, no squirrels. Just cars and a lot of heat in the summe…

You guys have trees inside the office? Can you explain how that works? Plants I understand, but not trees.

I've been in a few places with inside trees: Most notably, "Arby's" (a fast-food restaurant) and nursing homes.

Sometimes, places simply have a hole in the foundation that allows access to the ground. These holes often have more dirt on top and can support a rather tall tree. Other places have large containers of dirt which support smaller trees.

It really isn't much different than folks planting trees in the middle of the sidewalk or trees/shrubs in large pots outside, honestly, except for the fact that it won't rain indoors.

Re: Living Near Trees, Not Just Green Space, Improves Wellbeing

#159

Post by rlonn »

tropdrop wrote: post #90
mdgrech23 wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's evolution. The windows XP homescreen w/ the rolling green hills was chosen b/c it puts us humans at ease. Our monkey brains like wide open pastures b/c we can easily see any incoming predators making us feel safe.

In the article, wide open pastures with no trees were "associated with higher odds of psychological distress." Don't our distant (monkey) cousins live in and amongst trees, usually? Open pastures with no tree cover just mean easy pickings for an incoming predator, so maybe that hints at why it causes us "distress."

The protection-from-predators theory is interesting, and sounds plausible. I've always disliked nature that was too much groomed also, like perfect lawns, shaped bushes, parks with only two types of trees in them, or whatnot. Sterile, human-made nature. It always lacks diversity - there are few insects, fewer birds, and no larger animals in such environments. I always thought I disliked it because I love nature and wasn't stimulated enough by such barren wastelands, but I guess ut could actually be my monkey brain complaining about a lack of food/foraging opportunities there.
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