Santander Advances Nature Prescriptions to Boost Mental and Physical Health
In Santander, professionals gather to promote prescribing nature as a therapeutic measure for enhancing mental and physical health, emphasizing accessible green spaces and biodiversity care.
- • SEO/BirdLife hosted a conference in Santander linking nature exposure to mental and physical health improvement.
- • Experts advocate at least one hour outdoors daily for children to counter sedentary health risks.
- • Only 41% of public green areas in Santander effectively support community well-being, highlighting access issues.
- • The Santander Capital Natural project aims to improve urban green spaces, concluding in December 2025.
Key details
On World Mental Health Day, SEO/BirdLife held a pivotal conference in Santander titled "Nature and Health: Evidence, Well-being, and Livable Cities," gathering around 100 professionals from health and education sectors to advocate for integrating nature exposure into health prescriptions. Environmental Councilor Margarita Rojo emphasized urban planning focused on green infrastructure, while SEO/BirdLife Executive Director Asunción Ruiz linked biodiversity care directly to human well-being.
Experts highlighted key health benefits of nature, noting that children need at least one hour outdoors daily to combat sedentary lifestyle risks and screen time effects. Psychological benefits were stressed by Jose Antonio Corraliza, who noted faster stress recovery in natural settings. Challenges remain, however, as only 41% of Santander's public green spaces effectively support community well-being, with calls from Marta Cano to ensure equal nature access for people with disabilities.
Climate change impacts also featured, with concerns on emerging tropical diseases and worsening respiratory allergies raised by Cristina Linares. The event, part of the Santander Capital Natural project aiming to enhance urban green spaces and biodiversity, anticipates completion by December 2025, supporting a healthier urban living environment through nature integration.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.