Last week I attended on online seminar from Ben Wheeler of Exeter University: “Natural environments and health and wellbeing: Evidence and connections with local/national/international health and environmental policy”.
Not surprisingly the evidence was there that greenspace and time spent outdoors is good for us. It did strike me that much of this evidence was taken from studies of urban populations accessing greenspace. What about rural populations? Should it be assumed that because they have access to greenspace they are making regular use of it? When they do are the benefits as great? I have lots of reading and exploring to do and look forward to many more events such as these.
There was an interesting discussion at the end of the online seminar with Exeter University around the perceived risks of the outdoors. For example, could important safety advice around Ticks, in fact put people off accessing the outdoors altogether?
A research document shared by TCV this week taught me that there is a limited body of research that explores the potential barriers to greenspace activity, or any aspects of the outside environment that may be non-therapeutic.
• Milligan & Bingley (2007) report negative early experiences can influence how young people perceive woodland.
This made me reflect on my own attitudes. I LOVE the outdoors but I have some pretty firm boundaries. I had a rural upbringing and free play in the woods and farmland were part of my childhood and we would roam many miles on our bikes. I got lost on more than one occasion, and other than being a bit cold and hungry came home unharmed. To this day I love the outdoors, but I get nervous venturing into new and unfamiliar places.
• Gatersleben & Andrews (2013) found that certain physical attributes of woodland increased stress and attention fatigue (poor line of sight and lots of places to hide).
I studied in Finland for a time as a student. The topography was very flat and covered in Taiga forest with restricted views. I found the experience quite claustrophobic as I was more used to living with large sweeping views of Mountains. I often feel uncomfortable and claustrophobic skiing or walking in low cloud or fog and choose not to go out in these conditions.
This kind of self-reflection helps me to understand why some may not engage with nature at all. We all have our own boundaries and our very unique perceptions of risk? Understanding where people are coming from will help to break down some of the perceived barriers and encourage more that the outdoors is a safe place to be.
Some bedtime reading for me will be Social Amplification of Risk Framework