Human Wellbeing
Evidence shows that exposure to natural environments helps us to cope with stress, illness and injury; gives us a more positive outlook and can improve concentration and productivity. Check here for the latest stories and research about the vital role nature plays in our physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing.
Human Wellbeing Articles
World Parks Congress Improving Health and Well-being: Healthy Parks Healthy People stream report
The proceedings of the Improving Health and Well-being: Healthy Parks Healthy People stream at the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014 have been recorded and compiled in a comprehensive report of each stream session that offers an excellent overview.
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Strong link between nature and human health
Global research showing the strong connection between human health and contact with nature is the focus of a new report just released by Parks Victoria and Deakin University.
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The value of traditional knowledge in managing parks
Historically the rights of indigenous people to use the resources of their traditional lands in national parks have been curtailed with little or no consultation. Instead the focus has been on conservation of areas of scenic or aesthetic value to non-indigenous people and the protection of endangered and vulnerable plant and animal species.
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The economic value of parks for human health
In modern economic times, it seems that everything requires a financial value in order to prove its importance. Parks are no different, with their perceived value vitally linked to cities choosing to maintain open spaces in cities and nations choosing to conserve larger state and national parks.
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Sustainable Development Goals - where are we at?
The concept of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was created in 2012, at the United Nations (UN) Conference on Sustainable Development, called Rio+20. The SDGs will determine the future development agenda beyond 2015
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Human Wellbeing Research
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Human health impacts of ecosystem alteration
By Samuel Myers, Lynne Gaffikin, Christopher Golden, Richard Ostfeld, Kent Redford, Taylor Ricketts, Will Turner and Steven OsofskyHuman activity is rapidly transforming most of Earth’s natural systems. How this transformation is impacting human health, whose health is at greatest risk, and the magnitude of the associated disease burden are relatively new subjects within the field of environmental health.
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Green space and stress: evidence from cortisol measures in deprived urban communities
By Jenny Roe, Catharine Ward Thompson, Peter Aspinall, Mark Brewer, Elizabeth Duff, David Miller, Richard Mitchell and Angela ClowContact with green space in the environment has been associated with mental health benefits, but the mechanism underpinning this association is not clear.
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Understanding urban green space as a health resource
By Katherine Irvine, Sara Warber, Patrick Devine-Wright and Kevin GastonA qualitative comparison of visit motivation and derived effects among park users in Sheffield, UK
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Walking for wellbeing: are group walks in certain types of natural environments better for wellbeing than group walks in urban environments?
By Melissa Marselle, Katherine Irvine and Sara WarberThe benefits of walking in natural environments for wellbeing are increasingly understood. However, less well known are the impacts different types of natural environments have...
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What are the benefits of interacting with nature?
By Lucy Keniger, Kevin Gaston, Katherine Irvine and Richard FullerThere is mounting empirical evidence that interacting with nature delivers measurable benefits to people.
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