Time in Green Spaces is Linked to Less Prescription Drug Use

Finnish scientists say time in green spaces is linked to less prescription drug use. The odds of someone taking drugs for a mental health problem fall by 33% if they’re visiting urban green spaces 3 or 4 times a week. The likelihood of using blood pressure medication falls by 36%, while asthma sufferers are 26% less likely to use medication. Researchers in Finland studied data on 6,000 city residents. They found that proximity to green spaces doesn’t make a difference; it’s the amount of time people spend in them that matters. New Zealand has been prescribing time in green spaces since 1998 to reduce blood pressure, anxiety and heart disease for certain patients. Watch the video to learn more about the impact of green spaces on your health.