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Well-being from nature

Local nature and spending time in nature promote people’s health and well-being in many different ways. Green residential neighbourhoods are often perceived as safer and more comfortable than those with little vegetation.

Spending time in nature benefits the health of people of all ages

Being in nature has been proven to reduce mental exhaustion, combat depression and support recovering from stress. Having good recreational opportunities and nature close to home increase physical activity, decrease morbidity and improve immunity. Therefore, investing in the greenness of the urban environment is worth the effort.

Based on the opinions of Espoo residents, closeness to nature is an important characteristic of the city and it should be fostered. Nature is also an important part of the daily life of Espoo residents: spending time in nature includes being physically active, playing, camping, learning and relaxing. Espoo residents appreciate the city’s diverse nature and the green areas are places of well-being and reassurance for them.

Tips for improving your health:

  • Spend time in nature every day. Even 5–10 minutes can be enough, if you are outdoors on a daily basis. Refresh your daily life with routes that have as much vegetation as possible.
  • When you are out in nature, enjoy the silence. Calm down and pay attention to the scenery and the beautiful details in nature.
  • Start a nature-oriented hobby, such as camping, mushroom picking, fishing, picking berries or birdwatching. The diverse nature of Espoo is the perfect setting for this. 
  • Place your desk in front of a window, if you can. Houseplants, artificial flowers and virtual nature photos also have positive health effects.
  • Give your skin a microbial bath and sink your hands in the soil. Being in touch with different natural materials increases the number of beneficial microbes and improves immunity.
The health benefits of nature can be enjoyed in many different ways. Even a moment of silence spent in nature is enough to refresh the mind and alleviate fatigue. From time to time, you can stop on your commute visit a nearby forest, for example.Photo: Janne Ketola

In order for recreational areas to be accessible to the elderly and people with reduced senses or mobility, they must be local and they need to have easily navigable and accessible outdoor routes. The routes and outdoor recreational areas must have coherent signs, good access routes, adequate lighting and places where people can rest, such as benches.

For the development of children’s immunity, it is essential to be in frequent skin contact with natural materials such as soil, cones, stones and vegetation. Daily contact with nature has been proven to prevent allergies and asthma, among other things. Moving around on uneven surfaces and climbing on rocks, for example, also develops children's motor skills. 

Daily touching of natural materials and spending time in nature have been proven to improve children’s immunity and prevent immune disorders such as asthma and allergies. When the yard of the Vallipuisto day-care centre in Leppävaara was renovated, elements such as dry peat, transferable lawn, forest litter and decayed wood were brought to the yard.Photo: Anna Hakala

On hot days, vegetation cools the air and on rainy days, it filters rainwater

Vegetation and green areas can indirectly influence how comfortable and healthy the local environment is: areas covered with vegetation direct water efficiently, which means that there is no flooding that could damage the built environment. Stormwater management is an essential part of Espoo’s efforts to adapt to climate change. In cities, vegetation can also act as a carbon sink that absorbs carbon from the air and thus combats global warming.

Vegetation cools the urban microclimate, mitigating the health risks related to long heatwaves caused by global warming. Larger trees also provide shade. 

Vegetation increases the comfort of the urban environment and promotes its health benefits in many ways. In addition to increasing people’s mental well-being and physical activity, vegetation cools the microclimate of the city and can improve air quality. Green areas are also perceived as quieter and more peaceful.Photo: Noelle Renberg

Exercises on the Olari health nature trail help you break away from daily routine

The Olari health nature trail is a nature trail located in Kokinmetsä, Espoo Central Park. Along the trail you can find several natural elements that have a positive impact on your health. The exercises placed along the 2.5 kilometres long trail guide the visitors to observe, study and experience the different health benefits of nature, from mental well-being to improved physical condition.

More information about the Olari health nature trail is available on the Nature trails webpage.

The Olari health nature trail refreshes both the body and the mind. The trail is easy but not accessible.Photo: Janne Ketola

In 2019–2022, Espoo participated in the international Health&Greenspace project. The project identified ways in which the city can promote the health benefits of urban greenery and to alleviate the health hazards of the urban environment with vegetation.