Open AccessNATURAL ENVIRONMENT, STRESS AND MENTAL HEALTH
Author(s) -
Miodrag Milenović,
Snežana Živković,
Milica Veljković
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
facta universitatis. series: working and living environmental protection/facta universitatis. series: working and living environmental protection
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2406-0534
pISSN - 0354-804X
DOI - 10.22190/fuwlep1703225m
Subject(s) - natural (archaeology) , vitality , mental health , terminology , mood , psychology , human health , quality of life (healthcare) , social psychology , medicine , geography , psychotherapist , environmental health , biology , linguistics , philosophy , genetics , archaeology
In this paper, we discuss how natural environment affects mental health and how urban environment impacts on stress levels. The first part of the paper clarifies terminology used in discussing mental health, natural environment and the relationship between humans and natural environment. The second part deals with basic mechanisms of the impact of natural environment on mental health; it also discusses studies of the positive impact of nature on mental health. The third part presents Forest Therapy (Shinrin-yoku) and discusses how urban life contributes to high levels of stress.The paper suggests that being surrounded by nature can improve health. Even short-term exposure of senses is beneficial for mental health. Nature improves general mood, mental abilities and increases body vitality. The effects of green areas are particularly important because their natural vibrations benefit human natural vibrations. It has been shown that ‘imitating’ nature by creating visuals and emulating nature's scents or sounds can improve human psycho-physical health and the quality of life.