The Evidence

Abstract

Green spaces can boost physical, mental, and emotional well-being, including in Latinos. • For Latino children, interaction with nature early in life has been associated with cognitive changes that improve behavioral development and emotional regulation. • Individuals with more green space near their home (within a 3km radius) were less affected by stressful life events than those with low access to green space, with greenery “buffering” stress. • Park experiences have been shown to directly reduce stress and provide a restorative effect that impacts health, by modulating the immune system and inflammatory factors. • Those who spent time in nature emerged more restored, less stressed, and reporting less anxiety and/or depression than those who did the same activity, for the same duration, in a built environment, according to several studies.