This article was informative on the process of collecting the data and experiment. I can imagine how difficult it must be to study and experiment the effects of nature on human mental health. However, I recognize the stress-relieving effects of nature. It may sound cliche but I find it extremely relaxing and tranquil to spend time in parks and the environment. Unlike the bustling car horns, construction, and subway noise, there is always a hushed noise surrounding nature that actually calms me.
It was interesting that scientists are able to measure cortisol levels in the blood, urine, and saliva. However, for the experiment, saliva was used due to convenience, extracting blood and urine are more invasive methods, and reliability. I was unaware that salivary cortisol response varied depending on gender. It was surprising to read that scientists also measured air temperature and humidity during the experiment. Although it was a very thorough experiment, I am always hesitant to believe that there are never any outside factors that contribute to the responses; This article concluded with the fact the experiment mostly composed of middle-age working females, which reminded me of the salivary cortisol differences between genders. I would be more inclined to trust a retest of this experiment with a larger and more varied population. However, the scientists for this specific experiment received a clearer insight on the environmental effects on these women.
My friend recently told me he read that city-dwellers live shorter lives compared to those who are not constantly exposed to an urban environment. I absolutely believe that the amount of pollutants that we are exposed to is detrimental to our physical and mental health. I have read studies that constant exposure to noise could induce stress, which causes an increase in abdominal fat. After our discussions in class, it is evident that humans need a natural environment for optimal survival. The results of the experiment was interesting because the positive restorative influences that certain woodlands provided to the subject varied on times and length of stay in the parks, no more than 45 minutes. We get so entangled with our lives and technology that we forget to take a breath and enjoy the scenery – whatever that is left in New York City that is!
