green space exposure linked to reduced anxiety
Exact: -0.28
Urban green spaces are associated with a meaningful reduction in anxiety in older adults and those with dementia (effect size -0.28)
With an effect size of -0.28, anxiety reduction was one of the stronger emotional health outcomes associated with urban green space exposure. This finding, drawn from 37 eligible studies, supports the use of green spaces as a nature-based therapeutic approach for managing anxiety in people with dementia and older adults.
The specific performance of these green spaces is as follows: reduced incidence of dementia (-0.06), improved social participation (0.14), increased physical isolation (0.54), reduced anxiety (-0.28), relieved depression, relieved mental disorders (-0.32), calmed agitation (-0.06), increased positive emotions (0.10), reduced sadness and anger, improved quality of life, enhanced cognitive function (0.52), and improved sleep.
Related findings
30%
minimum greenery share for a favourable streetscape impression
Most people have a favourable impression of the streetscape when more than 30% of the view consists of greenery
Alenka Fikfak et al., 2024, Urban Science
physiological and psychological responses measured during urban walks
Psychophysiological responses of 29 subjects were analyzed in relation to urban street scene configuration and color
Chiara Maninetti et al., 2026, Frontiers in Psychology
large pre-to-post increase in feeling connected to nature after virtual nature exposure
Virtual nature exposure significantly increased nature connectedness with a large effect size
Elena Brambilla et al., 2025, JMIR Serious Games
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