Shinichiro sasahara, Japanese banker

A new study has revealed that working people who regularly take walks in forests or greenspaces may have higher stress-coping abilities.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.In a study published in Public Health in Practice, researchers led by Professor Shinichiro Sasahara at the University of Tsukuba analysed workers' "sense of coherence" (SOC) scores, demographic attributes, and their forest/greenspace walking habits.SOC comprises the triad of mengfulness (finding a sense of meng in life), comprehensibility (recognising 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 greenspaces."SOC indicates mental capacities for realising and dealing with stress," Professor Sasahara says."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."People find comfort in nature, and in countries like Japan urban greenspaces 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/greenspace walking. 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 greenspace walking 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," explains Professor Sasahara."Forest/greenspace walking 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."( With inputs from ANI )Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Home

City

Latest News

Cricket

LT Premium

National

International

Maharashtra

Opinions

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Nagpur

Entertainment

Photos

Business

Technology

Sports

Lifestyle

Social Viral

Lokmat Games

Health

Pahalgam Terror Attack

Tahawwur Rana

IPL 2025

CM Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai Local

Weather Update

Shinichiro SasaharaFOLLOW

Shinichiro sasahara, Latest News

Technology :Study suggests walking could help reduce work related stress

A new study has found that working people who regularly take walks in forests or green spaces may have higher stress-coping abilities. ...

Health :Here's how a walk in park may help mitigate work-related stress

While working people always are on a lookout to get rid of the stress related to office, a new study has found that people who regularly take walks in forests or greenspaces may have higher stress-coping abilities. ...

Lifestyle :Go for walk to reduce work-related stress, says study

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba examined the relationship between 'sense of coherence' (a quality indicative of stress-coping ability) and frequency of walking in forests or greenspaces to find easy coping devices for workplace stress. ...

Lifestyle :A walk in the park may help mitigate work-related stress

A new study has revealed that working people who regularly take walks in forests or greenspaces may have higher stress-coping abilities. ...