The mental health benefits of visiting canals and rivers: An ecological momentary assessment study

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271306
• Publication Date: 2022-08-31T17:23:25Z
• Authors: Nicol Bergou; Ryan Hammoud; Michael Smythe; Jo Gibbons; Neil Davidson; Stefania Tognin; Graeme Reeves; Jenny Shepherd; Andrea Mechelli
• Keywords: Association (psychology)

Existing evidence shows positive effects of being in nature on wellbeing, but we know little about the mental health benefits spending time near canals and rivers specifically. This study investigates association between visits to wellbeing. We addressed following questions: Are associated with higher levels wellbeing? Does this depend age gender? vary people without a diagnosis illness? used Urban Mind, flexible smartphone application for examining impact different aspects built social environment strong predictor health. Participants were invited complete an ecological momentary assessment three times day fourteen days. Each included questions their surrounding A total 7,975 assessments completed by 299 participants including 87 illness. Multilevel regression models analyse data. found associations wellbeing (p < .05) when compared anywhere else green spaces. Increases still evident after visit had taken place. These remained significant adjusting age, gender, ethnicity education, consistent Spending is better findings have potential implications as well urban planning policy. Visits could become part prescribing schemes, playing role preventing difficulties complementing more traditional interventions.