The article from Microsoft News concerns a study published in the journal Nature Sustainability. It begins:
“Living near wooded areas is good for the mental health of children and young people, a new study has found.
Scientists have discovered kids who spend time in woodlands have a lower risk of behavioural and emotional problems, as well as better cognitive development.
The research, led by experts at UCL and Imperial College London, analysed data gathered between 2014 and 2018 from 3,568 pupils from 31 schools across London who were aged between nine and 15. This age is believed to be crucial for an individual’s reasoning, thinking and understanding of the world.
Scientists looked at the link between different natural urban environments and the mental health, overall wellbeing, and cognitive development of the participants.
The environments were divided into green spaces – woods, meadows and parks – and blue spaces – rivers, lakes and sea. The green space was then divided further into woodland and grassland.
Satellite data was used to calculate how much exposure the children and young people had to these spaces, and how far they were located from their home and school …”
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