Today is World Health Day, and this year we’re advocating for the health of our planet, and in turn us!
We only have one planet – we need it, and it needs us. To keep humans and the planet healthy, we want to be part of a movement to create societies focused on the well-being of all.
The well-being of the planet:
Our planet is both unimaginably big, and so very very small. Billions of people, plants and animals live here – and still, our everyday choices matter. To improve the well-being of our planet, we all need to make moves to live as sustainably as possible. This can be through recycling more, conducting litter picks, moving away from fossil fuels, taking part in community-led nature restoration, or filling our gardens with insect-friendly plants.
The well-being of us:
As more and more people move to urban centres, it’s becoming clear how much our connection to outdoor spaces matter. Since the onset of COVID19, more and more of us have been getting outside. Research commissioned by Sport Ireland shows that during the pandemic, there was an additional 500,000 regular walkers; 450,000 runners; and 220,000 cyclists. Many mental health organisations now promote time in nature, highlighting how “nature can generate a multitude of positive emotions – such as calmness, joy, creativity and can facilitate concentration. Nature connectedness is also associated with lower levels of poor mental health; in particular lower depression and anxiety levels.”
There are also correlations that “higher quality” green areas are even better for us. This quality can manifest in meaning that there is higher biodiversity in an area, and healthy flora and fauna with a wide variety of shades of green. The quality is also found in whether those before us have “left no trace” – fewer human impacts (such as litter) impacts how much our mental health benefits from the time we spend outside.
All of this is to say that by taking care of our planet, we’re also taking care of ourselves. By leaving no trace and promoting the healthy regeneration of our ecosystems, people and planet will feel better together, and be able to continue to grow.
