Greenspace exposure and sleep: A systematic review.
Jong Cheol Shin1, Kaustubh Vijay Parab2, Ruopeng An3
1Department Behavioral and Social Sciences, Center for Health Equity Research, Department of Behavioral and Social Science, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
Environmental Research
|January 1, 2020
Summary
Exposure to green space positively impacts sleep quality and quantity. This systematic review found that spending time in nature, through activities like walking or gardening, can improve sleep outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Sleep Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Green space is recognized as a significant environmental determinant of human health.
- Previous research suggests a link between green space and improved sleep, but a comprehensive review was lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing literature on the relationship between green space and sleep.
- To evaluate the impact of green space exposure on both sleep quality and quantity.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across eight electronic databases.
- Inclusion criteria focused on well-designed studies measuring both green space and sleep, published in peer-reviewed English journals.
- Thirteen eligible studies, including cross-sectional and intervention designs, were selected.
Main Results:
- Eleven of the thirteen reviewed studies reported a positive association between green space exposure and improved sleep quality and quantity.
- Cross-sectional studies primarily used questionnaires or geospatial data for green space assessment.
- Intervention studies involved activities such as walking programs, gardening, and forest bathing.
Conclusions:
- There is a consistent positive association between green space exposure and enhanced sleep quality and quantity.
- Interventions like green exercise and therapeutic gardening show promise for improving sleep outcomes.
- Further research can explore specific mechanisms and optimal exposure levels for sleep benefits.
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