Today we're going to discuss the impact of urban green spaces on mental health. Recent studies have shown that access to parks and gardens can significantly reduce stress levels. However, the size of the green space matters less than its proximity to residents. A 2022 survey in London found that people living within a five-minute walk of a small park reported lower anxiety than those with a larger park but a longer distance away. Additionally, the presence of water features, such as ponds or fountains, seemed to enhance the calming effect. Interestingly, the study also noted that community gardens, where people actively participate in planting, had a stronger social benefit but not necessarily a greater psychological one than passive viewing of nature.