If you struggle to get a good night’s sleep, you might be surprised to hear that the green space around you could help. A global study led by the University of Exeter’s European Centre for Environment and Human Health and conducted in 18 countries, found a link between living within a view of a green street or blue space and good sleep.

The study analyzed the connection between nature exposure and “insufficient sleep” in 16,000 study participants, which is considered to be fewer than six hours per night. According to their findings, streetscape greenery and visible blue spaces, as well as visits to green and blue spaces during waking hours, resulted in fewer nights of insufficient sleep.

The lead author of the study, Dr. Leanne Martin, said in a statement, “People that lived in greener streets reported better mental health, which was the driving factor behind getting a better night’s sleep. Streetscape greening initiatives already exist in urban cities to tackle environmental risks like flooding and heat island effects, but our findings suggest policymakers should extend that to residential areas to support public health by promoting healthier sleep habits.”

To learn more about this study, click here.

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