Lecture 10: Nature and Health PDF

Lecture 10 Nature and Health Ecotherapy A method of restoring optimal health and well-being through routine exposure to and experience in the natural world Other Names -Deep Ecology -Green Therapy -Terra-psychology -Forest Therapy -Nature Therapy Why Ecotherapy? People spen...

Lecture 10 Nature and Health Ecotherapy A method of restoring optimal health and well-being through routine exposure to and experience in the natural world Other Names -Deep Ecology -Green Therapy -Terra-psychology -Forest Therapy -Nature Therapy Why Ecotherapy? People spend less than 5% of their day outdoors 5 million years of living in the natural environment Industrial Revolution moved us indoors Repeated exposure to artificial light, chemicals, air/electromagnetic pollution, disturbing noises (thought to be directly linked to epidemics of stress and chronic disease) Bridge the gap of separation between humankind and nature (technology and domination tactics)  Physiological Effects of Ecotherapy Mental/Emotional Benefits: *Our perception of stress, ○ decreased sense of anger ○ greater sense of influenced by the nervous joy/happiness system and its response ○ improved sleep quality Physical Benefits to the natural ○ increase in anticancer environment. proteins/natural killer cells ○ increase in white blood cell production ○ quicker recovery from trauma/surgery  Psychological Effects of Ecotherapy Enhanced concentration and attention Solitude Spiritual Moments A gentle reminder that we are a part of a much bigger Universe then just our little internal world  2006 Japanese Study 12 Male Findings: ○ 2 groups of 6 sent to ○ Activity in PFC and urban and forest areas salivary cortisol levels ○ Switched locations the significantly lower in second day forest area group. Forenoon: Walk around area for 20 min Afternoon: Watch landscape *Shinrin-yoku can for 20 min. effectively relax people’s Measurements body and spirit ○ Prefrontal Cortex activity ○ Salivary Cortisol Levels ○ Before and after activity (Park, BJ et al,. pg 123) Mental health and the environment: Bringing nature back into people’s lives  Mental health and environmental protection: towards a win-win Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety today affect more than 1 in 6 EU citizens representing a massive personal and societal burden. Wellbeing Environment Poor mental health is estimated to cost Europe over €600 billion/year or over 4% of GDP of which a third in direct health care spending. Protected areas have been estimated to provide mental health Mental benefits worth EUR 5.55 trillion globally health Natural capital investment, including restoration of carbon- rich habitats and climate friendly agriculture, is among the five most important fiscal recovery policies, offering high economic multipliers Sources: Mental health: Fact sheet WHO (2019); Covering the investment needs of the Natura 2000 network of Health at a Glance: Europe 2018; State of Health in the EU Cycle protected areas could create up to half a million additional (Buckley et al 2019) jobs. (World Economic Forum 2020) (ten Brink et al 2016) Determinants/exposure mental health outcomes Outdoor air pollution: NOx, CO, O3, UFPs, Depression, anxiety, sadness, personality disorders particulate matters, heavy metals Climate change: Extreme weather events, acute weather condition (warming-cooling), long- term Post-traumatic stress disorder, nostalgia, solastalgia, distress, anxiety, weather change depression Urban environment: Built environment, housing, Distress, aggression, trauma, poor cognitive development crowding, poor indoor air quality, lights Noise pollution: Transport, industry, surroundings Annoyance, poor sleep, cognitive impairment Chemical pollutants and pesticides: POPs BFA, BAP, Depression, anxiety, ASD&ADHD, behavioural disorders EDCs Metals, microplastics and pharmaceuticals in the Depression, anxiety and stress, hormonal disruption environment Determinants/exposure mental health outcomes Source: Van den Bosch, M. et al. Annu. Rev. Public Health 2019. 40:18.1–18.21  Dedicated EU mental health and Uneven social distribution of well-being strategy that includes environmental determinants –eg Key messages an overview of priority environmental risk factors and polluted areas, access to green space: maximising mental environmental enablers and their benefits would involve making impact on mental health and spaces for nature in places where wellbeing – co-benefits it can be most effective Public policy research should From both climate- and compile substantive evidence biodiversity perspectives, the that quantifies the economic protection of existing green benefits (eg relative spaces should be prioritised cost/efficiency of environmental over the development of new factors in preventing harms and ones helping cures Set of minimum requirements for Improve public access to green health & well-being impact spaces optimised for mental assessment of all sectoral policies - health benefits will provide whilst jointly addressing the socio- nature-based solutions to economic, environmental biodiversity- and climate policy determinants of mental health objectives and hereby creating a (Sustainability & Better Regulation) triple win. COVID-19 and Mental Health – Belgium has seen a sharp increase in the rates of depression – from 10% in 2018 to 16% in 2020 (Sciensano, cited in UNRIC 2020). – Around 60% of respondents to a survey in Poland have experienced increased general anxiety as a result of the pandemic that has affected their daily functioning (Dragan 2020). – In France, 18% of teleworkers showed symptoms of severe anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders (UNRIC 2020). – Parents in Italy and Spain are reporting that their children have difficulties concentrating, in addition to showing irritability, restlessness and nervousness (WHO 2020). – Among persons without pre-pandemic reported mental health problems (Covicat cohort), severe depression was present in 6.1% and severe anxiety in 13.5% of the participants (results submitted, Goldberg X, et al, 2020).  TOWARDS RESILIENCE: A KEY CHALLENGE Access to nature can have immensely positive effects on people’s mental health, according to a growing body of evidence. Environmental degradation, including climate change and pollution, poses a serious threat to our emotional state and well-being. Reducing pollution and protecting the environment can also contribute to reduce multidimensional inequalities The ongoing COVID-19 crisis and its socio-economic implications =significant consequences and increased human and economic costs of mental health for years to come. Increased need to strengthen its economic, health, social, and ecological resilience. addressing environmental degradation as a win-win solution for improving mental health and aiding the COVID-19 economic recovery Time to adopt the ‘Planetary Health’ concept, which recognizes the interlinkages between the health of all that is living and between various Sustainable Development Goals. KEY POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS Ensure mainstreaming of health and well-being considerations in the implementation of the Green Deal, in particular through encouraging nature-based solutions in local adaptation strategies and urban greening plans, starting with an analysis of health co-benefits as part of forthcoming impact assessments. Address the funding gap for implementing the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, for instance by ensuring adequate cohesion funding, including through the Regional Development Fund, is allocated to biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration projects, and that nature-based solutions are promoted within the Recovery and Resilience Facility guidelines for Member States. Integrate resilience indicators, which consider inter-linkages between mental health and the environment, into the the forthcoming 8th Environment Action Programme, and the future communication on the “economy of well-being”. Zero-pollution action plan, ensure that those furthest behind benefit the most, by prioritising investments which increase access to nature and reduce exposure to pollution in low-income and marginalised communities throughout the world.  References http://bit.ly/mhe-ieep-brief http://bit.ly/mhe-ieep