Wellbeing and neighbourhood nature
In Dr Catherine Knight’s newest book, 'Nature and Wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand', she explores the benefits that nature provides and argues for more green spaces in our towns and cities.
Dr Knight explains how a daily dose of just 20-30 minutes in nature a day delivers optimal benefits for our wellbeing and that this is not limited to just exercise. Getting involved in community initiatives, like native planting, or doing some of your daily tasks, like walking the dog, in nature can help our wellbeing.
Dr Knight also explains that whilst we as New Zealanders pride ourselves on our nature spaces and national parks, 86% of Kiwis live in towns and cities. While many of our National Parks are far away from where we live, we have many parks, beaches, rivers and other green spaces in our own neighbourhoods.
With the ongoing pandemic our need to connect with nature to improve our wellbeing has increased and it has shown how important nature spaces are. It’s important to spend time in your own neighbourhood’s nature space.
Dr Catherine Knight is a writer and environmental historian who focuses on New Zealand’s environmental history.
You can find out more about the connection between wellbeing and nature in Catherine’s book: Nature and Wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand.