Time to love your parks for the health benefits they bring

As far back as the 18th century, Prime Minister William Pitt described parks as ‘the lungs of London’. Nearly 300 years on, we’ve learned that time spent in green spaces isn’t just good for our physical health, it supports our mental wellbeing too.

Across Frimley Health and Care there are lots of green spaces, from Windsor Great Park to Fleet Pond, Farnham Common and Swinley Forest.

From today (Friday, 25 July) to Sunday, 3 August it’s Love Parks Week, a time to celebrate our local green spaces. It’s a great opportunity to get outside, connect with nature, join in local activities, and help keep our green spaces clean and welcoming for everyone.  For people living in towns and busy neighbourhoods, our local park may be the closest we get to nature in our daily lives, making parks vitally important to communities. 

The campaign, run by Keep Britain Tidy, highlights the role green spaces play in boosting  the health and wellbeing of individuals, and communities. In 2023 a survey of 2,000 UK adults suggested that people who spend more time outside are healthier, happier, more energetic, and more productive than those who do not. Those who spend 20 hours or more per week in a green or natural space are 41% more productive in an average day than those who spend less than 30 minutes a week outside. And three quarters of respondents said time in nature or green spaces gives them a boost of happiness that keeps them going all day. 

Nature brings calm, perspective and space to breathe, but it also supports an active lifestyle. Regular physical activity is known to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, musculoskeletal issues and more. So this Love Parks Week, make sure you get down to your local park or other green space. Whether it’s a walk, a picnic, a jog, or simply time to sit and take in the surroundings, enjoy what it brings to you and to your local community.