As a child grows and develops, the neurons in their brains branch out much like trees do. Recent research seems to suggest that being around this very type of foliage could actually help that process along. A long-term study in London featuring 3,568 students between the ages of 9 and 15 found that children who spent more time near woodlands showed improved cognitive performance and mental health in adolescence.
Perhaps, the most interesting tidbit of information that came out of the study is that other natural environments like grasslands, lakes or rivers didn’t seem to have the same impact. The findings contribute to researchers’ understanding that natural-environment types are an important protective factor for adolescents’ cognitive development and mental health. The results also suggest that not every environment type may contribute equally to these health benefits.
What’s perhaps most interesting is that the researchers have found a direct correlation between the presence of trees and the human state of mind. In the US and Denmark, nationwide epidemiological studies of children support this idea by showcasing those green spaces in residential areas are linked to a lower risk of mental health issues later on in life. Back in the United Kingdom, further studies have shown that children living in greener city neighborhoods have better spatial working memory.
Of course, why this happens remains largely a mystery. Enriched environments are known to shape the human brain, but how they do it is basically unknown. Some research actually suggests green spaces are linked to structural changes in the brain, including increased white and gray matter, as well as positive changes in the amygdala, the part of the brain that helps control emotions. As a result, these changes could be responsible for some of the cognitive and mental health effects researchers are seeing.
It appears that trees can do things that other types of foliage cannot. Other studies have found that only trees, not grass, are linked to improved mental health. It’s possible that this has to do with the fractal patterns that are found in tree branches. Studies show that, even as children, humans have an innate appreciation for these shapes and can be part of what is calming our minds and invigorating some pathways in our brains.
That’s not to say that the study did not come without its limitations. For example, half of the participants were part of a family whose parents had a managerial or professional occupation. A paper published back in 2019 makes the argument that while children who grow up surrounded by greenery score better than their peers on cognitive tests, it doesn’t necessarily mean trees are to thank. Socioeconomic factors may also play an influential role in child development. Perhaps, researchers are conflating the two.
According to the 2019 study, “children raised in greener neighborhoods exhibit better overall cognitive ability, but the association is likely accounted for by family and neighborhood and socioeconomic factors. Greenery can also impact our minds by providing refuge from the heat, the noise of the city or even pollution. The simple fact is that there are just too many variables to make a solid hypothesis. As a result, it’s too early to say whether being around trees makes children smarter and whether that exposure lasts a lifetime, but given how increasingly urban our landscapes have become, it’s worth figuring out whether we can use trees to make life better for people around the world.
We do think that the findings of the study, although they are not conclusive, are very interesting. We hope you do too and encourage you to continue following our blog. We love bringing you new information each and every week. Thank you, as always, for your readership.
