In 2005, CRN Countryside Recreation Network published a report on the healthy effects of countryside.

Entitled “A countryside for health and wellbeing. The physical and mental health benefits of green exercise”, the paper reviews existing studies in the UK that links the natural environment with good physical health and psychological wellbeing. Moreover, it explores the synergy in adopting physical activities whilst being directly exposed to nature.

Irrespective of where we come from, it seems that the presence of living things make us feel good. They help us when we feel stressed, and if there is green vegetation, blue sky and water in the scene, then we like it even more. This idea that the quality of nature affects our mental health is not a new one, but it has not greatly affected the planning of our urban and rural environments, nor the setting of public health priorities.

The publication also includes sectoral policy recommendations addressing agricultural managers and policy makers, health sector, planners and developers, social services and environmental managers.

For more information, visit the CRN website