{"id":9488,"date":"2025-11-07T00:20:41","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T16:20:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=9488"},"modified":"2025-11-07T00:20:41","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T16:20:41","slug":"why-a-city-walk-can-boost-your-mental-health-as-long-as-it-passes-the-first-kiss-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=9488","title":{"rendered":"Why a city walk can boost your mental health \u2013 as long as it passes the \u2018first kiss test\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"


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With every step on the trail, fallen leaves crinkle underfoot. The path follows a stream, rushing and burbling over smooth, grey stones, while a breeze rustles the branches overhead. Now compare that blissful mental image to what you might walk past in a city \u2013 traffic, crowds, concrete and glass. Which seems better for you?<\/p>\n

Walking in nature<\/span> has been shown to boost physical and mental health, lower stress and restore attention. But researchers are finding plenty of mental health benefits to walking in urban areas, too.<\/div>\n

You just have to find the right path and pay attention to your surroundings.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at the green,\u201d said Whitney Fleming, an environmental psychology researcher at Bangor University in Wales, in the United Kingdom. \u201cMost cities have greenery. No matter where you are, you can find a nice tree.\u201d<\/p>\n

She noted that walking \u2013 considered moderate exercise \u2013 is good for you in general; it can lower the risk of heart disease<\/span>, high blood pressure<\/span>, dementia<\/span>, depression<\/span> and many types of cancer. Walking in nature offers benefits that extend beyond physical movement: \u201cHumans have an innate, evolutionary tendency to like nature.\u201d<\/div>\n
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\"Hikers<\/div>
Hikers on the Dragon\u2019s Back trail in the Shek O Country Park, in Hong Kong. Walking in nature has been shown to boost physical and mental health. Photo: Eugene Lee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Fleming\u2019s research found that people who were asked to pay attention to plant life while walking were significantly less anxious afterwards than those asked to focus on human-made elements. The former group also reported feeling more positive emotions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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