Vitamin Nature: How Coronavirus Disease 2019 Has Highlighted Factors Contributing to the Frequency of Nature Visits in Flanders, Belgium

Abstract

Visiting nature is positively associated with physical and mental well-being. The role of nature became more pronounced during the coronavirus outbreak in the spring of 2020. Countries all over the world implemented confinement measures to reduce the transmission of the virus. These included but were not limited to the cancelation of public events, schools, and non-essential businesses and the prohibition of non-essential travels. However, going outside to exercise was recommended by the Belgian government. During this period, we conducted an online survey to determine if people visit nature more frequently than before and to identify the factors that contribute to this. The results are based on data from 11,352 participants in Flanders, Belgium. With the use of a bivariate and multiple regression analysis, results indicate that people visit nature more frequently than before and that nature helped to maintain social relationships during the coronavirus period. Gardens were reported to be the most popular place, followed by parks. More than half of the people experienced nature in a more positive way, and the belief that nature visits are important for general health increased. In addition, we found a positive association between nature visits and home satisfaction, as well as a positive association with subjective mental and physical health. Lastly, we identified several demographic factors contributing to the frequency of nature visits such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Our findings indicate the importance of nature visits for general well-being and highlight the need for nearby green infrastructure.

Use of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Twenty-two studies were conducted in China ( 27 , 31 – 34 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 44 , 47 , 55 , 62 – 65 , 67 , 69 – 73 , 75 – 77 ), six in Saudi Arabia ( 18 , 21 – 23 , 25 , 26 ), five in India ( 10 , 41 , 46 , 60 , 61 ), three in the United States ( 35 , 42 , 45 ) and three in Turkey ( 38 , 49 , 66 ), and these were the most frequent countries included in this review. Among the population-based survey studies, thirty-one were conducted through online surveys only ( 17 , 18 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 28 – 31 , 35 , 42 , 43 , 45 , 48 – 54 , 57 – 62 , 66 , 68 , 74 ), one was an in-person interview ( 56 ), three were telephone interviews ( 10 , 21 , 38 ), and two were both in-person and online surveys ( 19 , 36 ). Among the included studies, usage status of the interventions, including TCM ( n = 22) ( 27 , 32 – 34 , 37 , 39 , ...…”

“…Among the population-based survey studies, thirty-one were conducted through online surveys only ( 17 , 18 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 28 – 31 , 35 , 42 , 43 , 45 , 48 – 54 , 57 – 62 , 66 , 68 , 74 ), one was an in-person interview ( 56 ), three were telephone interviews ( 10 , 21 , 38 ), and two were both in-person and online surveys ( 19 , 36 ). Among the included studies, usage status of the interventions, including TCM ( n = 22) ( 27 , 32 – 34 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 44 , 47 , 55 , 63 – 65 , 67 , 69 – 73 , 75 – 77 ), functional food (supplements) or herbs ( n = 20) ( 17 – 24 , 29 , 36 , 38 , 43 , 49 – 52 , 57 – 59 ), mind-body practice or spiritual practice ( n = 9) ( 28 , 35 , 42 , 45 , 48 , 54 , 60 , 61 , 74 ), Ayurveda ( n = 2) ( 10 , 41 ), homeopathy ( n = 1) ( ...…”

“…Most of the data for surveys or patient chart reviews were collected during 2020. In approximately half of the studies, TCIM interventions were used for prophylactic purposes ( n = 28) ( 17 – 20 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 28 , 31 , 35 , 36 , 38 , 41 , 42 , 45 , 48 – 54 , 59 , 61 , 62 , 66 , 74 ), and the other half were used for therapeutic purposes ( n = 27) ( 21 , 24 , 27 , 32 – 34 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 44 , 46 , 47 , 55 , 58 , 63 – 65 , 67 , 69 – 73 , 75 – 77 ) ( Table 1 ).…”

One Health and Biodiversity

“…The lockdown policies adopted in several countries, encouraging outdoor physical activity, highlighted the role of nature recreation facilities in the urban context for human health, and the challenge of accessibility for many urban households. In situations where visits to natural surroundings were still possible, an increase in visits was observed, as shown, for example, by a public survey during the first COVID-19 wave in Belgium (Lenaerts et al, 2021). People also reported a positive effect on human health and well-being.…”

Covid-19-Induced Changes in Outdoor Recreation Habits in Latvia During Winter Holiday Season of 2020/2021

“…These restrictions also significantly limited socialization opportunities for all age groups, and this aspect, along with general insecurity due to unfamiliar and potentially dangerous situation and disrupted daily routines has caused such problems as increased stress levels, anxiety and depression (Fiorillo et al, 2020;Ahrens et al, 2021;Clemens et al;. During the pandemic, outdoor spaces have provided a significant relief to people under stress (Grima et al, 2020;Lenaerts et al, 2021). Both public and private outdoor spaces have been reported as important (e.g., Lehberger et al 2021), and several papers reveal a significant increase in forest visits both in Europe (Derks et al, 2020;Pichlerová et al, 2021) and overseas (Foley, 2020;Stanturf, Mansuy, 2021).…”