Reviving Spirits, Restoring Nature: The Healing Power of Green Spaces in Disaster Recovery
Reviving Spirits, Restoring Nature: The Healing Power of Green Spaces in Disaster Recovery
By: Dahlia M. Taha | Alenteshar AL Arabi Newspaper
In 2020, devastating wildfires across California wreaked havoc, leaving many families, including that of new father Mohammed Layedi, struggling with loss and displacement. Amidst this turmoil, Layedi and his family found unexpected comfort in the green spaces of nearby communities. “We could no longer take our little girl out on walks as the air felt toxic,” Layedi recounted, highlighting how vital these areas became for their psychological survival. These green spaces not only provided a sanctuary from the devastation but also underscored the critical role of natural environments in disaster recovery efforts. Extensive research supports the psychological benefits of greenery, indicating that such spaces are indispensable for emotional healing, particularly in marginalized and low-income neighborhoods hit hardest by disasters. The narrative of Mohammed Layedi’s experience illustrates the profound impact that well-maintained green spaces can have on community resilience and mental well-being, emphasizing their necessity in both recovery and everyday urban planning.
Green spaces, defined as areas rich in vegetation, play a pivotal role in urban and rural environments, offering recreation, biodiversity sanctuaries, and essential ecosystem services. Their importance becomes even more pronounced in the context of disaster recovery, where they serve as vital elements for psychological healing and community resilience.
In the wake of such calamities, immediate efforts typically concentrate on rebuilding physical infrastructures, such as homes and businesses. However, the psychological recuperation of the affected populations, including those in marginalized communities and low-income neighborhoods, is a critical yet frequently overlooked component of the recovery process. Greening initiatives, which aim to reintegrate natural elements into devastated urban landscapes, are crucial for emotional and psychological healing. These initiatives not only restore the environment but also substantially enhance the mental health and well-being of disaster-impacted individuals.
Experts Matthew White and Ian Alcock explored the positive effects of natural environments on human psychology, finding that natural and green environments demonstrated positive effects on human psychology. Exposure to green spaces has been shown to reduce stress, improve mental well-being, and foster a sense of community and belonging. In 2019, NASA found that individuals residing in areas with minimal green spaces face up to a 55% higher risk of encountering various psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
Mohammed Layedi, a new father from California whose family home was affected by the wildfires in 2020, shared his experience during an interview with Alenteshar. Their home, a cozy nest they had recently invested in for their growing family, suffered extensive damage. The walls were charred, and the air inside reeked of smoke, rendering their living environment toxic and unsafe for their newborn.
“My wife and I were at a loss after the stream of wildfires that struck our community in 2020. We could no longer take our little girl out on walks as the air felt toxic,” he recounted.
Though despite this, Mohammed and his wife found solace and comfort in the green spaces of a neighboring community, taking regular walks in the park with their new child. This simple activity became a vital coping mechanism, helping them deal with the aftermath of the disaster. For Mohammed’s wife, who was experiencing postpartum challenges, these moments in nature provided a much-needed respite, aiding her mental and emotional recovery.
“I didn’t mind driving out over two hours to ensure we could get to parks and spaces with clean air so we could get out of the house, Layedi explained “It can feel suffocating being stuck in the house all day, you know? It was important to my wife that we got that outdoor time as a family ” Layedi continued.
For marginalized communities and low-income neighborhoods, which often place a strong emphasis on family and community connections, these green spaces can become essential hubs for social interaction, cultural expression, and communal support during challenging times. Dr. Hind alHarbi explores the cultural nuances around mental health and how cultural stigmas may lead to underreporting and a reluctance to seek traditional forms of psychological help.
“In Muslim communities, stigma was identified to arise from Islamic beliefs where mental health difficulties are considered as evidence regarding a weakness of faith,”
Mental health in these communities is often stigmatized, making the need for accessible, non-stigmatizing forms of psychological support, like green spaces, all the more crucial. Green spaces offer a subtle yet powerful means of support, providing a neutral and welcoming environment where individuals can find solace and peace, away from the pressures of stigma and societal expectations. Moreover, the community spaces in urban settings can provide a sense of continuity and identity. The tranquil settings of parks and community gardens can serve as communal gathering spots, aiding in the holistic recovery process.
Overall, the strategic integration of green spaces into the fabric of post-disaster recovery is not merely beneficial but essential for the holistic restoration of communities, particularly those within marginalized and low-income neighborhoods. These areas, often hit hardest by the physical and psychological impacts of disasters, stand to gain significantly from the therapeutic and restorative benefits of green spaces. The cultivation of these areas goes beyond aesthetic improvement, acting as a cornerstone for environmental sustainability, community resilience, and psychological healing. The evidence is clear: green spaces are not just luxuries but necessities that play a critical role in mitigating the adverse effects of urbanization and disaster impacts. They provide a buffer against mental health challenges, enhance biodiversity, and offer vital opportunities for social interaction and physical activity, which are crucial during the recovery process. Moreover, these natural environments foster a sense of community identity and belonging, providing a platform for cultural expression and social cohesion, which is especially important in diverse and economically disadvantaged areas.
The commitment to integrating green spaces into disaster recovery efforts represents a broader understanding of the interconnectedness between environmental health, community resilience, and psychological well-being. Championing green spaces not only reconstructs the physical landscape but also nurtures the mental and emotional landscape of communities. This approach paves the way for a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive future, affirming a collective responsibility to create environments where individuals of all socio-economic statuses can thrive and find solace in the
face of adversity.
