Green health in Hywel Dda

What is Green Health? 

We all know that taking some exercise outside is good for us. Now there is growing evidence that simply spending time outdoors in nature is good for our physical and mental health and wellbeing. 

By improving the quality of our natural environment and increasing people’s access to green and blue spaces we can improve our health and look after the planet.  

The term green space refers to places such as parks, woodlands, wetlands, meadows and gardens – including natural, semi-natural and constructed landscapes. Natural environments near to water such as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, canals and the coastline are often referred to as blue spaces. 

We recognise the importance of improving the quality of the environments where we work, by increasing access to nature we create environments which are truly health-giving. Caring for our natural ecosystems are vital as we face the climate emergency, and the resulting impact on human health. 

Improving the green spaces around our community and hospital sites will bring benefits to staff, patients, visitors, local communities and the natural living world. 

Green health is the term we use to show how we benefit from spending time in nature, how we are working to improve the spaces around our sites.