CITY STROLLS OVER NATURE WALKS?

Experts find walking in urban areas can benefit mental health & physical wellbeing the same way exploring nature can

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With every step on the trail, fallen leaves crinkle underfoot. The path follows a stream, rushing and burbling over smooth, grey stones, while a breeze rustles the branches overhead. Now compare that blissful mental image to what you might walk past in a city — traffic, crowds, concrete and glass. Which seems better for you?

Walking in nature has been shown to boost physical and mental health, lowering stress and restoring attention. But researchers are finding plenty of mental-health benefits to walking in urban areas, too.

You just have to find the right path and pay attention to your surroundings.

Don’t underestimate street trees

“Look at the green,” said Whitney Fleming, an environmental psychology researcher at Bangor University in Wales, U.K. “Most cities have greenery. No matter where you are, you can find a nice tree.”