Hikers have long been aware that breathing in fresh countryside air can be invigorating. Experts now suggest that physicians consider recommending a daily stroll in the park as a way to treat chronic inflammation.

Following an examination of 1,244 Americans ranging from 34 to 84 years old, researchers at New York’s Cornell University determined that "a greater occurrence of favorable natural encounters correlated with reduced levels of systematic inflammation."

It is often said that the influence extends further than the advantages associated with physical activity.

It remains uncertain precisely how exposure to nature exerts such an impact.

A hypothesis suggests that microorganisms emitted by plants and soil interact with bacteria in the human gut, potentially shielding against inflammation associated with numerous chronic conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Another factor is that being close to nature decreases stress, which drives inflammation.

In a commentary released with the study, psychologists from Ohio State University stated: "As research advances, ensuring people have access to public parks and natural spaces might be viewed as crucially important as granting them access to hospitals and medical facilities."

At an individual level, maybe physicians ought to recommend a daily stroll in the park as the initial approach for treating inflammation instead of prescribing medication right away, since these can be costly and come with various adverse effects.

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