While green spaces are great for the planet, the medical officer of health and CEO of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit says they also have plenty of health benefits. “There’s a whole area called eco-health, so it looks at the effects of the ecology on one’s health,” Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, A.K.A. Dr. Paul, said. “Not surprisingly, being exposed to the outdoors, green spaces and so on, is actually very good for your health.” Dr. Paul joined CTV’s Your Morning Ottawa on Earth Day to discuss health benefits of the outdoors. “People who are exposed to open green spaces have less stress, cope better with stress and studies have also shown that you can have medical effects,” he said. “Less cardiovascular disease, less obesity in the future, those types of things.” The power of trees Trees provide a wide array of benefits, including clearing up smog, eating up carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, Dr. Paul says. Trees also absorb water during times of flooding and offer shade from the sun. “We should be planting more. As we cut them down, plant more because this is really what’s helping us,” Dr. Paul said. “Like I said, there’s a psychological, mental health effect but also environmental affect that indirectly affect humans.” The benefits of wetlands, lakes and rivers In addition to helping prevent flooding, these bodies of water also help purify the water many people drink. “Wetlands, lake and rivers, really what they do, is they actually filter water and it goes into the ground, and so its purer for people to drink in home wells,” Dr. Paul said. Additionally, these water sources provide people with a way to cool down and relax in the summer. “You go by the creek or river, and it cools down,” Dr. Paul said. “It actually reduces your cortisol, increases your endorphins — your feel good hormones — and so, these are really good benefits.” Parks, trails and community gardens According to Dr. Paul, these types of outdoor spaces offer many physical, mental and social benefits, providing people with a space for physical activity and socializing. “You’re in a park in a trail, you’ve got trees you’ve got creeks, you’ve got everything around you that promotes communities getting together, families getting together,” he said. Dr. Paul also says community gardens have a range of benefits, especially for seniors. “It actually is very good for their health for their emotional health, for their physical well-being as well,” he said. “As much as you can, go and embrace the outdoors, ou and your children, grandparents, whoever it is. It really is beneficial and we actually have to be thankful that we have this, and try to preserve it as much as possible. Even greenspaces in your backyard are helpful.”
