Earlier this month, I had the privilege of speaking at TECHBBQ2024 in Copenhagen. One of the highlights of our trip was the afternoon spent in Amaliehaven Park, a lush green space right in the heart of the city. Did you know that nearly a quarter of Copenhagen’s urban area is made up of green spaces? This gives each resident an average of 42.4 square meters of greenery—almost double what we have in Montreal, which is considered a very green city by North American standards.
While, of course, the image of picnics in the park and hours reading under a tree are romantic, these pleasant afternoons are actually incredibly good for your overall health and well-being.
Why Green Spaces Matter for Your Health
Access to green spaces has been shown to be a powerful predictor of better mental health and physical healthoutcomes. Numerous studies highlight that people with greater access to quality green spaces report fewer mental health complaints like stress, depression, and anxiety. One study by Akpinar et al. found that residents in urban areas with more forests experienced fewer days of mental health challenges. Another study revealed that living within 300 meters of natural environments was linked to better health outcomes across the board.
The Inequity in Green Space Access
But, as with most health-promoting resources, access to green space isn’t distributed equally. Neighborhoods with predominantly ethnic minority populations often have fewer parks and green spaces, while also being more likely to be situated near industrial areas or exposed to heavy traffic. This contributes to health disparities between communities, exacerbating existing challenges.
This is both a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) issue and an environmental one. How can we strive for equity when the very air some communities breathe is harmful to their mental and physical health?
Creating Green Spaces in Business: The Role of Rooftop Gardens
While addressing these inequities at a policy level is essential, there are ways to promote well-being on a smaller scale. For business owners with the space and resources, creating green spaces around workplaces—like rooftop gardens—can have a powerful effect on mental health. These spaces help reduce stress, lower cortisol levels, and promote relaxation.
Studies have shown that employees who spend time in rooftop gardens experience greater job satisfaction, increased creativity, and improved focus. In fact, these gardens also promote physical activity, which helps counterbalance the sedentary nature of most office work.
The benefits extend beyond just employee well-being. Rooftop gardens can also help regulate building temperaturesand improve air quality, offering environmental advantages as well.
Bringing Green Spaces Into Your Home
Although it’s not ideal to place the responsibility of solving policy-level issues on individuals, there are small steps we can take to create green spaces at home. Whether it’s tending to a garden or adding a few plants to your balcony, these small touches of nature can do wonders for your mental health and well-being.
If you don’t have the time, space, or energy for a garden, I encourage you to find ways to spend more time in your local green spaces. The benefits are well-documented—lower blood pressure, reduced stress, and improved overall health.
Advocating for Equal Access to Green Spaces
On a broader level, we need to push for increased access to green spaces for everyone, particularly in underserved communities. This is a matter for policymakers—we should be asking why these disparities exist and demanding action to protect existing green spaces while investing in the creation of new ones.
In the meantime, keep enjoying those picnics and quiet moments in the park. They might have a more profound impact on your health than you realize.