A new Finnish study has found that visiting green spaces as little as three to four times a week can significantly lower your need for medication. The study drew on the responses of 16,000 randomly selected residents of Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa—the three cities making up the largest urban area in Finland, and aimed to explore the impact of nature on physical and mental well-being.

The results showed that those who visited green spaces three to four times a week were less likely to suffer from physical and mental health problems, and they required fewer medications to manage their conditions. The study also revealed that those who spent time in green spaces experienced reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, improved sleep patterns, and a decrease in stress levels.

The findings are significant because they provide evidence of the therapeutic benefits of spending time in nature. It is not necessary to engage in physical activity while in green spaces to receive these benefits, but simply being present in the environment is enough to lower the need for medication.

The study highlights the importance of green spaces for maintaining good health and wellness, and suggests that public health initiatives should encourage people to spend more time in green spaces. It also supports the idea that incorporating green spaces into urban environments could improve public health, reduce the demand for healthcare services, and lower the costs associated with managing health problems.