Wednesday Wellbeing Tips
We're starting with the science
Parks are not just pleasant spaces but also living antidepressants.
Serotonin is one of the feel-good hormones. Normal levels of serotonin make you feel happier, more alert, and more sociable. Most prescribed anti-depressant medications work by preventing the serotonin in your blood from being broken down.
Parks are filled with many different microscopic organisms and chemicals that promote serotonin production in humans.
Micro-bacteria in the soil
In the soil there are micro-bacteria called M.vaccae that when inhaled or ingested activate the neurons in the brain which produce serotonin making you feel good and increasing your resilience to stress.
Phytoncides chemicals from the trees
Similarly, trees produce chemicals called phytoncides that help protect the tree from germs and parasites.
Different types of phytoncides also offer mental and physical health benefits to humans when breathed in.
- Phytoncide α-pinene can enhance sleep
- Phytocides β-pinene and D-limonene have anti-depressive properties that reduce cortisol and promote serotonin production.
Wednesday Wellbeing Tip #1
Spending time in a park or green spaces is one of the best things you can do for your mental health – it gives you that mood boost without any unpleasant side effects!
Get out into your local park among the trees and the soil - see if you notice a difference in your mood.
