Recent research has shown that there is something that we see in our everyday lives that can reduce stress….green spaces. According to research done at the University of Edinburgh, parks and the outdoors have an impact on coping with job loss, anxiety, and fatigue.
By taking saliva samples, researchers were able to measure levels of cortisol, the hormone released when stress is present. In the age group 35-55, it was found that there was less cortisol released if there was more than a 30 percent area of green space.
Also, with every 1 percent increase in green spaces, there was a decline in stress levels. In the vicinity of green spaces, it was shown that they responded better to disturbances, and coped with the outcome of the disturbance better.
Other ways to reduce stress are: exercising, yoga, meditation, and maintain a healthy diet.
Pasadena Villa’s Smoky Mountain Lodge is an adult intensive psychiatric residential treatment center for clients with serious mental illnesses. We also provide other individualized therapy programs, step-down residential programs, and less intensive mental health services, such as Community Residential Homes, Supportive Housing, Day Treatment Programs and Life Skills training. Pasadena Villa’s Outpatient Center in Raleigh, North Carolina offers partial hospitalization (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (PHP). If you or someone you know may need mental health services, please complete our contact form or call us at 407-215-2519 for more information.
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