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Lifestyle Changes That Improve Mental Health | 43

greenness and mental health as compared to physical health,
while controlling for recreation and social coherence (Sugiyama
2008). Van den Berg et al conducted a study on the relationship
of green space to mental health and stress specifically. They
found that people who had a large amount of green space within
3 km of their house (not simply a backyard or a neighborhood
park) were less negatively impacted by stress than people with
less greenery. This followed for mental health in general (Van
den Berg 2010). Children with ADHD demonstrate improved
symptoms after spending time in nature (Faber 2011). This is a
critical issue because ADHD has increased in prevalence and
some components of it may correlate with an increase in indoor,
sedentary activity and less time outside.
These studies offer data that reveal the power of greenery and
nature on the mind-body-spirit system. With the exception of
impoverished urban areas, most individuals have access to some
sort of green space. Consciously engaging with it, whether it is a
park, mountain, or meadow, is a simple way to release stress and
anxiety and connect with something larger. Clinically, it seems
that engaging with green space connects us to something larger
than ourselves and our perceived problems.

Social Connections
Abundant evidence indicates that social support promotes
health on all levels, but especially mental health (Kemper 2010).
Most data indicate that there are two models that explain how
social support impacts mental health: the general/main-effect
model and the buffering model. The general model describes the
degree to which individuals are generally socially connected,
engaged and interactive at any given point in time. The
buffering model is more specific in that individuals are in
specific distress and know they have people who will support
them emotionally (Kawachi 2001).
Lifestyle choices are simple, accessible and typically affordable.
With some education and access to resources, nearly anyone can