Nature has a striking effect on our body, contributing to improving mental health to maintain a stronger heart and strengthening the immune system. This effect is so powerful that some doctors recommend nature as part of treatment.
Scientists have found an interesting phenomenon: people living in nature usually have a younger biological age.
"This study has tried to quantify the beneficial effects of green plantations at the cellular level and consider how much they can compensate for the damage caused to the environment," - said the social ecologist at the University of North Carolina Aaron Hipp.
In the course of the study, almost 8,000 people were studying the life and home environment, which turned out that those who live in areas with rich vegetation, such as parks, gardens and trees, have longer telomers. Telomeres are repeated DNA areas located at the ends of each chromosome that prevent its unraveling.
"This was revealed regardless of race, economic status, alcohol or smoking," the HIPP adds.
It is well known that green spaces gently mitigate stress, protecting and isolating us from the environment and reducing the noise and air pollution.
"We know that many factors, such as stress, can affect the rate of aging of our cells," the researchers say.
Although green spaces are of great importance to society, their independence is often lacking to overcome systemic racism, the consequences of economic segregation and environmental inequality. However, the study confirms the importance of creating green areas in communities.
"This disconnection from nature causes the environment to deteriorate, as we lose awareness of what the world should be around us," scientists emphasize.
Hipp stressed that there are many ways to return to nature, even if it is only a few bushes near the house, daily walks or gardening on your own balcony.
