Research claims people who live on streets with trees sleep better

By Stephen Beech via SWNS

People who live on tree-lined streets get better sleep, according to a new study.

Living on a greener street or having views of "blue spaces" - such as the sea or a lake - from your home will help you sleep for longer, say scientists.

Research across 18 countries, led by University of Exeter scientists, found that living on greener streets – those with visible grass, trees, and other vegetation - is linked to better mental health and better sleep.

While previous studies have found a connection between green spaces and better sleep, the new research is the first time several different types of natural environments have been analyzed across different countries.

Lack of sleep, usually defined as less than six hours a night, is a significant public health issue in industrialized countries, affecting around one in six adults in the UK.

Poor sleep is linked to several health issues - including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions, as well as an increased risk of dying young.

Study lead author Dr. Leanne Martin, of the University of Exeter’s European Centre for Environment and Human Health, said: “People that lived in greener streets reported better mental health, which was the driving factor behind getting a better night's sleep.

"Streetscape greening initiatives already exist in urban cities to tackle environmental risks like flooding and heat island effects, but our findings suggest policymakers should extend that to residential areas to support public health by promoting healthier sleep habits.”

Data was obtained from more than 16,000 people across 14 European countries, as well as Australia, Canada, the United States and Hong Kong, as part of the BlueHealth International Survey (BIS) - coordinated by the European Centre for Environment and Human Health in Penryn.

Participants were asked about the amount of greenery on their street, whether they had views of rivers, lakes, and coasts - collectively known as blue spaces - from home, how much leisure time spent in natural spaces, as well as their mental health and how many hours they slept a night.

The findings, published in the journal ScienceDirect, showed that people who lived in greener streets or had views of blue spaces from their homes tended to report better mental health, which in turn was associated with healthier amounts of sleep.

People who spent more recreational time in green and blue spaces also reported better mental health and healthier sleep durations.

Overall, the results showed that 17 percent of people who lived on green streets reported getting fewer than six hours of sleep a night, compared to 22 percent of those who did not live on green streets.

Study co-author Dr. Mathew White, of the University of Vienna, said: “Whilst a five percent difference may seem small, these findings are comparable to the difference in sleep between people who are coping on their present income and those under financial strain."

He added: "With money worries widely recognized as an important determinant of sleep, we think this demonstrates street greenness should be recognized by governments as an important public health issue.”