When I think about comfort at the end of life, I picture difficult moments buffered by a sense of softness. Small moments that remind us that we’re part of something bigger. One of the most profound sources of comfort is nature. The feeling of sunlight warming our skin, the sound of birds outside a window, or that first breath of fresh air. In hospice and palliative care, every moment is important, and these connections to the world around us offer something no medicine or machine can.
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This article explores why outdoor play should be treated as a public health, environmental equity, and planning priority. It also considers how emerging nature-exposure technologies can help identify underserved neighbourhoods, measure environmental quality, and guide investments in healthier, safer, and more climate-resilient places for children to play.
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While parks and recreation have traditionally been viewed as community amenities, a growing body of evidence suggests they function as critical public health infrastructure.
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I see the impacts of your decisions in the blood pressure of a single parent walking their kid to school through a treeless neighbourhood, or in the respiratory flares of a senior living in a heat island with no canopy coverage.
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In today’s rapidly digitizing world, our youths’ lives are increasingly dominated by screens. As of the time of writing this article, we are observing a concerning upward trend in nearsightedness (myopia) rates, alongside growing awareness that screen time for children under the age of two can result in atypical sensory processing.
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The intricate interplay between extreme heat events and health vulnerabilities lays the groundwork for the exacerbation and spread of various diseases. One study even showed that 69.3% of COVID-19 cases in the summer of 2022 could have been avoided if there were no heat waves.
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Urban diversity and biodiversity work together in many ways. A city that preserves and prioritizes the protection of its green spaces and natural habitats is more likely to have a diverse local economy and a healthy community.
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In summary, the rise of the plant parent trend has had a positive impact on workspaces by enhancing aesthetics, promoting well-being, and fostering a connection to nature. As workplaces continue to evolve, the incorporation of indoor plants is likely to remain a popular and effective strategy for creating more holistic and enjoyable environments for employees.
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As busy parents and household executives, it’s no secret that we’re constantly surrounded by overwhelming levels of stress and pressure. Unfortunately, this can often cause us to become so overwhelmed with our responsibilities that it can lead to a state of physical and mental exhaustion known as burnout.
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