Greener Cities Linked to Better Mental Health Outcomes

• Living in greener neighborhoods is linked to significantly fewer hospitalizations for mental illness, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, and dementia
• A global analysis of 11.4 million cases found that just a small increase in vegetation density reduced mental health hospital admissions by 7%
• Urban residents experienced the strongest benefits — cities with more parks and tree-lined streets saw 13% fewer psychiatric hospitalizations
• Researchers discovered that the ideal balance for mental well-being is when about half your surroundings are green; both too little and too much vegetation reduce benefits
• Spending at least 30 minutes a day in moderate greenery, walking outdoors, or adding plants to your home helps lower stress hormones, boost focus, and improve emotional resilience