Living near nature helps men and seniors sleep better
A study by the University of Illinois proved that men and seniors who live natural environments like parks or beaches sleep better.
Researchers studied 255,171 adults and their self-recorded sleep quality. The data came from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The team plotted sleep quality against a person’s distance from any natural spot. Results show that people who reported lack of sleep for 21 to 29 days were farther from nature spots than those who slept poorly only on 1 to 6 days.
The nearer you are, the better you sleep theory, only applies in men in general and people aged 65 above.
Reasons as to why nature affects sleep is still unclear. Since the data were just correlated, the team has no information yet on how often people visit the natural environments.
Senior author Diana Grigsby-Toussaint, professor of kinesiology and community health states that their study can impact nursing homes the most.
“Our results provide an incentive for nursing homes and communities with many retired residents to design buildings with more lighting, create nature trails and dedicated garden spaces, and provide safe outdoor areas that encourage outdoor activity for men and women.” she says.
Category: Features, Wellness and Complementary Therapies
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