Healthy nature healthy people

‘contact with nature’ as an upstream health promotion intervention for populations

‘People with access to nearby natural settings have been found
 to be healthier overall than other individuals. The longer-term,
 indirect impacts  (of  ‘nearby nature’ ) also  include   increased
levels of satisfaction with one's home, one's job and with life in
general’ [Kaplan and Kaplan, 1989 (p. 173)].

In a review of the literature, Rohde and Kendle found that the
psychological response to nature involves feelings of pleasure,
sustained  attention  or   interest,  ‘relaxed  wakefulness’,   and
diminution of negative emotions, such  as  anger  and  anxiety
(Rohde and Kendle, 1994).

Source:  Health Promot. Int. (March 2006), Healthy nature healthy people: ‘contact with
 nature’ as an upstream health promotion intervention for populations 21 (1): 45-54.