Abstract
International data suggest that exposure to nature is beneficial for mental health and well-being. The restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic have created a setting that allows us to investigate the importance of greenness exposure on mental health during a period of increased isolation and worry. Based on 2060 responses from an online survey in Stockholm County, Sweden, we investigated: (1) whether the COVID-19 pandemic changed peoples’ lifestyle and nature-related habits, and (2) if peoples’ mental health differed depending on their exposure to greenness. Neighborhood greenness levels were quantified by using the average normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) within 50 m, 100 m, 300 m, and 500 m buffers surrounding the participant’s place of residence. We found that the number of individuals that reported that they visited natural areas “often” was significantly higher during the pandemic than before the pandemic. Higher levels of greenness surrounding one’s location of residence were in general associated with higher mental health/well-being and vitality scores, and less symptoms of depression, anxiety, and perceived and cognitive stress, after adjustments for demographic variables and walkability. In conclusion, the results from the present study provided support to the suggestion that contact with nature may be important for mental health in extreme circumstances.
Highlights
Countries worldwide have taken action to control population movement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
We investigated the possible changes in people’s habits of visiting nature during the spring of 2020, and whether the mental health estimates during the same period of time were associated with the exposure to neighborhood greenness and to the nature-related behaviors in the adult population of Stockholm County, Sweden
We identified factors previously considered as potential confounders or effect modifiers in studies investigating associations between mental health outcomes and residential greenness
Summary
Countries worldwide have taken action to control population movement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. People that are already struggling because of low income, social isolation, or poor health are likely to be the most vulnerable to the adverse effects of the pandemic-related societal actions. Among those are elderly people, who have the highest risk of severe COVID-19 infection and at the same time, are at greatest risk of social isolation as they are less likely to use online communication [1].
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