NATURE AND WELLBEING

J. Shaw

Public Health discourse on ecotherapy, ‘nature’ and wellbeing, and ‘nature’, health and the built environment have highlighted the importance of access to nature for both physical and mental health. Not only do herbicide treated verges contribute to our polluted planet and bodies, but they are also ugly, and living in an ugly environment does little for our mental health and wellbeing.

Access to biodiverse nature especially during childhood play has also been shown in recent research to impact on immunity and microbiota health. Although the above-cited research does not consider environmental pollutants as key variables here in the differing health outcomes children playing in green versus paved-over recreation spaces, it is important to note that pesticides that are so commonly used in such areas are themselves major contributing factors to gut microflora dysbiosis and related illness.