Renewal in Green

Among the trees,
a heart unfolds –
moss blankets
the earth’s tender skin,
as branches bend
to reach the sky.
In the stillness,
a soul quivers
unburdened.
Shadows dance with light,
each leaf a balm –
a promise
etched in emerald veins
across the forest floor,
where feet trace
forgotten paths
to peace.
The soft chorus
of growing things
echoes through
our hollowed bones –
letting in the light
where sorrow once
took root.

This poem is inspired by recent research, which has found that even 10 minutes of nature exposure is likely to yield benefits for adults with mental illness.

Many studies have shown that spending time in nature can improve mental health, but there has been limited research on how this specifically benefits adults with mental illnesses. It is possible that deliberately spending time in natural settings could help alleviate symptoms of mental illness.

In this study, researchers used a method called meta-analysis, which combines results from many different studies to get a clearer picture of the overall effects. They looked at studies conducted between 1990 and 2020 that provided detailed, measurable data on the effects of nature exposure on adults with mental illnesses. The results showed that spending time in nature significantly improved social, mental, and physical health. Even studies with control groups, which compare different treatment approaches, showed clear benefits from nature exposure. The research also found that the type of nature exposure, the setting, the activities involved, and the specific mental illness all played a role in the outcomes. These findings suggest that prescribing time in nature could be an effective, accessible, and affordable way to support mental health, potentially easing the burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Even short visits to natural spaces, including urban parks, can offer noticeable mental health benefits for adults with mental illnesses.