A new study has found that working people who regularly take walks in forests or green spaces may have higher stress-coping abilities.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba examined the relationship between a 'sense of coherence' (a quality indicative of stress-coping ability) and the frequency of walking in forests or green spaces to find easy coping devices for workplace stress.
Work causes so much stress that it's become a global public health issue. Stress's impact on mental and physical health can also hurt productivity and result in economic loss.
The findings suggest the benefits of walking in urban green spaces or in forests to help with stress management. Forest/green spacewalking at least once a week was found to correlate with those with a stronger sense of coherence. In a study published in Public Health in Practice, researchers led by Professor Shinichiro Sasahara at the University of Tsukuba analyzed workers' "sense of coherence" (SOC) scores, demographic attributes, and their forest/green space walking habits.
SOC comprises the triad of mengfulness (finding a sense of meng in life), comprehensibility (recognizing and understanding stress), and manageability (feeling equipped to deal with stress). Studies have found factors such as higher education and being married can strengthen SOC, while smoking and not exercising can weaken it. People with strong SOC also have greater resilience to stress.
The study used survey data on more than 6,000 Japanese workers between 20 and 60 years old. It found stronger SOC among people who regularly took walks in forests or green spaces. "SOC indicates mental capacities for realizing and dealing with stress. With workplace stress as a focal issue, there's a clear benefit in identifying everyday activities that raise SOC. It seems we may have found one." Professor Sasahara said.
People find comfort in nature, and in countries like Japan urban green spaces are increasing in popularity where nature isn't readily accessible. This means many workers in cities can easily take a walk among the trees.
The researchers divided the survey respondents into four groups based on their frequency of forest/green spacewalking. Then, they compared their walking activity against attributes such as age, income, and marital status, and with the respondents' SOC scores, which were grouped as weak, middle, and strong.
Those with strong SOC showed a significant correlation with both forest and green spacewalking at least once a week. This key finding implies the greater benefits of urban greening -- not just environmental, but also socioeconomic. "Our study suggests that taking a walk at least once a week in a forest or green space can help people have stronger SOC. Forest/green spacewalking is a simple activity that needs no special equipment or training. It could be a very good habit for improving mental health and managing stress," explained Professor Sasahara.
( With inputs from ANI )
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