The Healing Power of Green Spaces: Combating Loneliness, Loss, and Isolation

This paper addresses the healing potential of natural spaces. The potential healing benefits of natural spaces are a powerful resource that has often been underutilized. Eco psychology is an emerging field that addresses the positive relationship between time spent outside and well-being. Access to nature, gardens, green and blue spaces have been found to improve physical and mental health and aid in coping with grief, loss, loneliness and isolation. Loneliness has been shown to have detrimental effects on physical and psychological health. It also reduces motivation for self-care, exercise