7 Ways Green Space Improves Physical Health

Living landscapes are a key part of a healthy lifestyle. In fact, there are many ways green spaces around us – including those in our backyards, parks, school yards and other community areas – boost our physical health.

Here are seven of the most impressive:

• People with more nature in their neighborhoods smoke and drink less, a study led by the University of Exeter found.
• A five-year study in Florida found that 229,034 Medicare beneficiaries consistently exposed to “high greenness” had a 9% lower incidence of new cardiovascular diseases than those in “low greenness.”
• According to a recent study, rates of deaths from heart disease, especially among men, are lower in neighborhoods with more green space.
• People with access to green spaces are biologically younger than those without, according to a study published in Science Advances.
• Recent research suggests that spending just a few minutes walking outside may enhance mood, memory, and the ability to absorb new information.
• Spending time in green space helps improve sleep quality.
• Living near green spaces could add 2.5 years to your life, according to new research published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances.

To learn more about the many benefits of the green space around us, download the TurfMutt Foundation’s International Backyarding Fact Book here. For more, sign up for Mutt Mail, a monthly e-newsletter with backyarding tips and all the news from the TurfMutt Foundation here. To learn more about creating the yard of your dreams, visit TurfMutt.com. Look for Mulligan the TurfMutt on the CBS Lucky Dog television show on Saturday mornings.