Everyone who regularly takes a forest walk or work in the garden have long known: nature is good! Kathy Willis pursues the question of whether this feeling can also be scientifically confirmed in her current book.
For this purpose, the Oxford professor for biodiversity and former scientific director of the Royal Botanical Gardens of KEW has read and compared a number of studies on the subject. She looked at what it triggers in us when we touch natural materials such as wood, smell herbs or flowers or just stop us in the countryside.
In fact, there are many evidence that nature has positive effects on our mental, psychological and physical well -being. Many findings are surprising. For example, the sight of real flowers has a more calming effect than that of artificial – even if they look deceptively real. In addition, the targeted use of natural noises such as twittering birds or leaves can work miracles in pain therapy. And the regular stay at places with high biodiversity has a positive effect on our intestinal flora and protects us from autoimmune diseases and allergies.
Kathy Willis also has gratifying news for those who live in areas with little green. Just looking at nature pictures on a screen already lowers the stress level. And if you make a small detour through the city park on the way to work, you will do a lot of good things with a minimal time. Nevertheless, increasing urbanization and dwindling natural diversity are a problem. Therefore, the author advocates a rethinking in urban planning. Green facades, many small green areas in the city center and for all accessible community gardens are possible solutions. Last but not least, it already helps to make your own four walls with a few houseplants greener.
The large number of studies cited limits the reading flow a little, but the book encourages to become active and go outside. Thanks to the scientific confirmation, this is even more joy. Christoph Walter
Kathy Willis:
The superpower of the plants
Berlin Verlag, 336 pages, € 26, –
ISBN 978-3-8270-1497-9
