Urban environments that incorporate more nature exhibit significantly improved mental health among the youth, according to a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of Waterloo. The research underscores the positive impact of “forest bathing,” a simple practice involving calm contemplation amidst trees, observing nature, and deep breathing, on stress reduction and overall well-being in adolescents.
Pioneering in its approach, the study collected real-time survey data directly from adolescents, gauging their emotional responses to diverse urban settings, including transit hubs, residential streets, trails, parks, and waterways. Natural urban spaces consistently correlated with substantially higher scores in positive outcomes, marking a crucial development in understanding the influence of city design on youth mental health.
The Future Cities Initiative, part of the University of Waterloo’s commitment to shaping healthy and prosperous urban futures, spearheaded this research. Findings revealed that after spending just two to three minutes observing an urban lake, youth experienced a nine percent decrease in scores on a validated anxiousness scale. In contrast, their anxiousness scores increased by 13 percent when situated in a bustling downtown location for the same duration, even after adjusting for variables like age, gender, ethnicity, mental health diagnosis, and social status.
Given the accelerating pace of urbanization and the prevalence of depression and anxiety among adolescents, comprehending the impact of urban environments on youth becomes paramount. Nature motifs on buildings, natural sights like lakes and public parks, and landscape elements such as gardens and trees were identified as factors enhancing positive emotional experiences for youth.
The study recognizes that while adults may interpret these urban characteristics differently, designing cities with health and sustainability in mind should incorporate features that cater to all age groups. This evidence serves as a valuable resource for planners, city builders, and healthcare providers advocating for specific natural urban design elements.
Dr. Minaker, one of the researchers, emphasized the importance of considering teens’ opinions in city planning, given that childhood experiences significantly influence long-term health outcomes. The team’s future research aims to establish links between mental health data and the long-term economic and social impacts, including an exploration of the mental and physical health of children living in high-rise apartment buildings—an area poorly understood in North America.
