The fragrance of flowers, the sound of birdsong, the blue sky and the water, the trees and grass are green, spring is a good time to visit the garden. During the Qingming holiday just past, the lawns of many cities were "overgrown with people". In particular, the "20-minute park effect" has recently gone viral on social media. Going to the park in the afternoon and evening to "scatter the taste of work" has become a popular leisure method for migrant workers, and it is even called "the spiritual fast charge of contemporary people". Does the park really have that much energy?
The "20-minute park theory" originated from a study in a magazine, which showed that spending a short amount of time outdoors each day can make people feel happier, even if they don't exercise, just 20 minutes a day in a park or other place where you can feel the breath of nature can significantly reduce stress. The so-called parks, including but not limited to large parks in the city, green spaces near work parks and office buildings, small green spaces in streets and alleys, etc., can be counted. Different from the grandeur of visiting the park on holidays, "20 minutes in the park" focuses on getting close to nature, lifting your feet to reach the casual walk, small luck, and a sense of relaxation.
It is such an event that seems ordinary and has no highlights, but it is sought after by migrant workers. "I've tried it, I'm really happy", "I do have something", "It cured my mental internal friction", on social platforms, netizens have told their practical experiences. Some people can't help but be puzzled, isn't this a walk around the corner, a meal to consume? A form over content to follow the trend? Not necessarily.
After being in the cage for a long time, you can return to nature. "20 Minutes in the Park" has broken the circle on social media, putting aside the following effect of the Internet, which is not unfounded. According to research, being in the natural environment can significantly reduce the level of cortisol (stress hormone) in the body. At the same time, the natural environment helps to relax and rest the prefrontal cortex, the control center of the brain, just like a relaxing massage for long-tense, overused muscles. With a stressful work and a fast pace of life, it is the norm for many people to bury themselves on their desks from morning to night, day after day. Feeling the rhythm of nature has become a luxury, and a short escape from the "concrete forest", "glass iron curtain", "square inch lattice" and "small screen" is another kind of rigid need. Compared with the mountains and countryside, urban parks have super high "accessibility", no need to trek through mountains and rivers, not much time-consuming and laborious, and are really cost-effective and worker-friendly.
Slow down, put on headphones to bask in the sun, sit by the lake in a daze, lie on the bench and blow the wind, the "five senses" are all activated, and the troubles are temporarily left behind. Grandparents playing tai chi, children running and laughing, street vendors coming and going...... Whether it's getting away from the crowd, emptying yourself, or getting close to life and feeling the vitality, it has the effect of relieving stress and anxiety. As a natural transition zone in the city, parks are increasingly labeled as modern people seeking healing, endowed with the attributes of escape, disconnection and healing. Urban construction should "let residents see the mountains, see the water, and remember the nostalgia", which may be the significance.
Back to reality, whether or not we can practice "20 minutes in the park" depends on whether the park is "within reach". In recent years, many places have carried out the actions of "white space" and "greening" to create a "happiness radius" of "300 meters of greenery and 500 meters of garden". In addition to comprehensive parks and theme parks, urban streets and alleys are freed up and greened, and "pocket parks", small and micro parks, and street parks are inserted with greenery, and the urban green space is constantly expanding, providing people with more close and diverse green places. At the same time, the management of public spaces is becoming more standardized, such as adding more facilities that meet the needs of citizens, and parks and green spaces are cleaner and more suitable for strolling, chatting, contemplation and relaxation. These actions provide realistic support for the release of the "20-minute effect in the park".
It has been said that "the entrance to nature is the exit of life". It is human nature to be close to nature, from the grass picnic and park camping that were popular before, to the "20 minutes in the park", all of them are active explorations of seeking a moment of tranquility and self-adjustment by approaching nature and integrating into nature, and also reflect the public's expectations for urban construction. How cities can make life better, respond to the trend of getting close to nature, and make cities greener and more livable, may be a starting point.
This is exactly what it is: long in the cage, longing to return to nature. Take a walk in the park and recharge your batteries.
Let's go tomorrow and go for a walk!
Which park do you often go to?
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General: People's Daily
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