Nature’s contributions in coping with a pandemic in the 21st century: A narrative review of evidence during COVID-19

While COVID-19 lockdowns have slowed coronavirus transmission, such structural measures also have unintended consequences on mental and physical health. Growing evidence shows that exposure to the natural environment (e.g., blue-green spaces) can improve human health and wellbeing. In this narrative review, we synthesized the evidence about nature’s contributions to health and wellbeing during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that during lockdowns, people experienced multiple types of nature, including both outdoors and indoors. Frequency of visits to outdoor natural areas (i.e., public parks) depended on lockdown severity and socio-cultural contexts. Other forms of nature exposure, such as spending time in private gardens and viewing outdoor greenery from windows, may have increased. The majority of the evidence suggests nature exposure during lockdowns was associated with less depression, anxiety, stress, and more happiness and life satisfaction. Additionally, nature exposure was correlated with less physical inactivity and fewer sleep disturbances. Evidence was mixed regarding associations between nature exposure and COVID-related health outcomes, while nature visits might be associated with greater rates of COVID-19 transmission and mortality when proper social distancing measures were not maintained. Findings on whether nature exposure during lockdowns helped ameliorate health inequities by, for example, impacting the health of lower-socioeconomic populations more than their higher-socioeconomic counterparts, were mixed. Based on these findings, we argue that nature exposure may have buffered the negative mental and behavioral impacts of lockdowns during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recovery and resilience during the current and future public health crises might be improved with nature-based solutions, interventions, designs, and governance.

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Pre-eminence of Moderate to Robust Physical Activity in Battling COVID-19: A Narrative Review

International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences ◽

10.26452/ijrps.v11ispl1.3203 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽

pp. 934-937

Author(s):

Tasneem M. Lakkadsha ◽

Kiran Kumar ◽

Waqar M. Naqvi ◽

Pratik Phansopkar

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Mass Media ◽

Physical Inactivity ◽

Narrative Review ◽

The Other ◽

Physically Active ◽

Corona Virus ◽

Media Platform ◽

Being There ◽

History Books

In January 2020, we met with COVID-19 (aka SARS-Co-V-2 and/or Corona virus) on our news channels all the way from china. Little did we know that it would shake up our lives in such a manner that we had heard only in a movie or read in history books. Currently we are all in some sort of lockdown, be it in hospital/home or in our minds. Being there, most of us are facing certain kind of misery, be it emotional, mental, physical or social. To be expansive the most common stresses that have been addressed by people on mass media platform are feeling of depression and isolation caused by being away from family and friends, some are complaining of losing their enthusiasm, some of gaining weight, some of losing it and many more. Going through a pandemic is also helping people in some or the other way, one of which is being concerned about their health and habits to keep themselves fit and away from serious comorbidities which can stem out from physical inactivity and heightened stress levels. There are many ways to stay fit at home without any complex gym equipment, but far less is known about it. Thus, an understanding of methods through which one can become physically active with least complexity, easy availability, and appropriate utilization is need of the hour.

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Sleep, health, and society

10.1093/oso/9780198778240.003.0001 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Francesco P. Cappuccio ◽

Michelle A. Miller ◽

Steven W. Lockley ◽

Shantha M. W. Rajaratnam

Keyword(s):

Sleep Deprivation ◽

Sleep Duration ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Modern Society ◽

Social Conditions ◽

Sleep Health ◽

Health And Wellbeing

Sleep disturbances are common in modern society. Since the beginning of the century, populations have shown a decline in sleep duration, owing to changes in environmental and social conditions. Industry was the first to appreciate the detrimental effects of sleep disturbances on health and wellbeing. It has taken, however, many decades to understand the implications for individuals and populations of sustained sleep deprivation.

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The role of accommodation environments in student mental health and wellbeing

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10602-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Joanne D. Worsley ◽

Paula Harrison ◽

Rhiannon Corcoran

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

First Year ◽

Student Mental Health ◽

North West ◽

Human Element ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Physical Attributes ◽

Attachment To Place ◽

Pastoral Staff

Abstract Background Due to the increasing concern over student mental health and wellbeing, attention has turned to the matter of creating environments, communities, and institutions which enable students to flourish. Methods To explore the role of accommodation environments in first year student mental health and wellbeing, eight focus groups were conducted in two universities in North West England and analysed using thematic analysis. Results Three overarching themes were identified: ‘The betwixt space’; ‘Accommodations as vessels to cultivate friendships and communities’; and ‘The importance of accommodation-based pastoral staff’. As attachment to place and relationships with significant others are disrupted by the transition, this leaves young people vulnerable whilst they go through a process to re-attach to new people and a new environment, and loneliness and social isolation were keenly felt during this period. Physical attributes of place that prevent social cohesion further exacerbated feelings of loneliness. Conclusions As it is common for students to withdraw physically and psychologically when they do not form friendships within their flat, accommodation-based pastoral staff have an important role to fulfil. Although these findings demonstrate the importance of the human element within accommodation, designing places that facilitate community, a sense of we-ness, and belonging is crucial.

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Physical inactivity and health inequality during coronavirus: a novel opportunity or total lockdown?

BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine ◽

10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000903 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. e000903

Author(s):

Natalie F Shur ◽

David Johns ◽

Stefan Kluzek ◽

Nicholas Peirce

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Inequality ◽

Physical Inactivity ◽

The Elderly ◽

Restricted Movement ◽

Socioeconomic Groups ◽

Lower Socioeconomic ◽

The World ◽

Additional Burden ◽

Public Health Promotion

Government-restricted movement during the coronavirus pandemic in various countries around the world has led to rapid and fundamental changes in our health behaviour. As well as being at a higher risk of contracting and being hospitalised with COVID-19, the elderly, those with chronic disease and lower socioeconomic groups are also disproportionately affected by restriction of movement, further widening the physical activity health inequality. In this viewpoint we discuss the physiological sequelae of physical inactivity, and the additional burden of ageing and inflammation. We provide recommendations for public health promotion and interventions to try to mitigate the detrimental effects of physical inactivity and rebalance the health inequality.

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COVID-19 Shows Us the Need to Plan Urban Green Spaces More Systemically for Urban Health and Wellbeing

Urban Health and Wellbeing Programme - Urban Health and Wellbeing ◽

10.1007/978-981-33-6036-5_7 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 39-43

Author(s):

Jieling Liu

Keyword(s):

Urban Health ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Health And Wellbeing

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Perceived mental health, wellbeing and associated factors among Nepali migrant and non-migrant workers: A qualitative study

10.1101/2020.11.23.20236794 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hridaya Raj Devkota ◽

Bishnu Bhandari ◽

Pratik Adhikary

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Physical Health ◽

Working Conditions ◽

Migrant Workers ◽

Health Condition ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Physical Work ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Mental And Physical Health

AbstractBackgroundPoor mental health and illness among the working population have serious socio-economic and public health consequences for both the individual and society/country. With a dramatic increase in work migration over the past decades, there is recent concern about the health and wellbeing of migrant workers and their accessibility to healthcare services in destination countries. This study aimed to explore the mental health and wellbeing experiences of Nepali returnee-migrants and non-migrant workers, and identify their perception on the risk factors for poor health and health service accessibility for them.MethodsThis qualitative study was conducted among Nepali migrant and non-migrant workers in February 2020. Four focus group discussions (n=25) and 15 in-depth interviews were conducted with male non-migrant and returnee migrant workers from Gulf countries and Malaysia. The discussions and interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated into English and analysed thematically.ResultMigrant workers reported a higher risk of developing adverse mental health conditions than non-migrant workers. In addition, fever, upper respiratory infection, abdominal pain, ulcer, and occupational injuries were common health problems among both migrant and non-migrant workers. Other major illnesses reported by the migrant workers were heat burns and rashes, snake-bites, dengue, malaria, gallstone, kidney failure, and sexually transmitted diseases, while non-migrants reported hypertension, diabetes, and heart diseases. Adverse living and working conditions including exploitation and abuse by employers, lack of privacy and congested accommodation, language barriers, long hours’ hard physical work without breaks, and unhealthy lifestyles were the contributing factors to migrant workers’ poor mental and physical health. Both migrant and non-migrants reported poor compliance of job conditions and labor protection by their employers such as application of safety measures at work, provision of insurance and healthcare facilities that affected for their wellbeing negatively. Family problems compounded by constant financial burdens and unmet expectations were the most important factors linked with migrant workers’ poor mental health condition.ConclusionBoth migrant and non-migrant workers experienced poor mental and physical health condition largely affected by their adverse living and working conditions, unmet familial and financial needs and adherence to unhealthy life styles. It is needed to ensure the compliance of work agreement by employers and promotion of labor rights in relation to worker’s health and safety. In addition, policy interventions on raising awareness on occupational health risk and effective safety training to all migrant and non-migrant workers are recommended.

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Working through the first year of the pandemic: a snapshot of Australian school leaders’ work roles and responsibilities and health and wellbeing during covid-19

Journal of Educational Administration & History ◽

10.1080/00220620.2021.1975367 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Ben Arnold ◽

Mark Rahimi ◽

Phil Riley

Keyword(s):

School Leaders ◽

First Year ◽

Work Roles ◽

Australian School ◽

Roles And Responsibilities ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Working Through

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Green Spaces of the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara

Bioeconomical Solutions and Investments in Sustainable City Development - Practice, Progress, and Proficiency in Sustainability ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-7958-8.ch007 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 151-179

Author(s):

Roberto Jiménez ◽

Paula Lourdes Guerrero Rodríguez ◽

Rogelio Rivera Fernández

Keyword(s):

Metropolitan Area ◽

New Technologies ◽

Economic Value ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Metropolitan Region ◽

Public Parks ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Natural Systems ◽

Green Areas ◽

Social Environmental

The analysis of some systems of green areas and public parks of the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, other cities of our country Mexico and Latin America, shows common problems such as the deficit of urban green spaces, insecurity, unemployment, and uncertainty with a social exclusion in these areas of stress. Likewise, the lack of economic value of the services provided by such natural systems as recreation is added. Together they are important factors in the allocation of territories destined to this use with respect to others that generate Urban speculation. Therefore, it is proposed to develop a typology of green areas appropriate to the needs of the metropolitan region. It will facilitate the production of inventories that estimate indicators of territorial cohesion, governance, economic profitability, social, environmental quality and innovation, as well as incorporating new technologies that improve geographic information systems and internet media that support management.

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Occupational Balance: What Tips the Scales for New Students?

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/030802260506800706 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 68 (7) ◽

pp. 319-323 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Lesley Wilson ◽

Ann Wilcock

Keyword(s):

Occupational Therapy ◽

Health Benefits ◽

First Year ◽

Written Responses ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Educational Benefit ◽

Occupational Therapy Students ◽

New Students ◽

Open Question

The open question, ‘What prevents you from reaching occupational balance?’, was posed within a questionnaire aimed at exploring the meanings of occupation, health and wellbeing with a cohort of first-year occupational therapy students during their initial few weeks at university. Their written responses to the question about occupational balance were analysed and are discussed in this paper. Not surprisingly, occupational balance appeared to be achieved by only a few and more by chance than design. People, time and money factors were identified as the main impediments to achieving occupational balance, with psychological and emotional pressures being at the forefront. Interestingly, despite these barriers, the overall educational benefit of considering the occupational balance question in this way raised the students' awareness of its relationship to health and wellbeing. This increased awareness might have longer-term health benefits, both personally and professionally, which would be worthy of further research.

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