The presence of green spaces in daily life it is revealed as a determining factor for well-being, according to the nature photographer and conservationist Matías Romano.
In dialogue with Infobae Deco, Romano emphasizes that the progressive disconnection of human beings from nature, accentuated by urbanization and the accelerated pace of modern life, has generated a series of negative consequences.
However, he highlights that there are multiple opportunities to reestablish that link, even in dense urban environments such as Buenos Aireswhere the abundance of urban parks and nature reserves facilitates access to nature.
“Today it has been studied that it is good to spend time in nature,” he says, and points out that activities as simple as walking through a park, watching birds or simply sitting and drinking mate in a green space can generate a positive impact.
According to the conservationist, the amount of green spaces per inhabitant is an increasingly valued metric in cities, since “cities that have a greater amount of green spaces make people happier and healthier.”
The specialist highlights that, although urban life is usually marked by hurry and routine, incorporating small moments of contact with nature can transform the daily experience.
“Any time you can dedicate to nature changes,” says Romano, who mentions studies that link bird watching with improvements in memory and general well-being. In addition, it emphasizes that exposure to natural sounds, such as birdsong, contributes to reducing levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress, and promotes reconnection with the environment.
Romano’s proposal focuses on the adoption of simple and sustainable habits. It recommends moving everyday activities outdoors, such as reading a book, exercising or meeting friends in parks or nature reserves, instead of indoors. “It’s this: if you read, go read outside, if you walk, if you exercise, go do it outside, if you get together with someone, go do it outside. And the spaces are there and they are there to be used,” he says. This practice, according to Romano, not only benefits at an individual level, but also strengthens the social value of green spaces, since “the more part of the population is connected to these urban natural reserves, the more we demand that from our rulers, which is why there will be more and more or they will be more and more prepared with their tables, their benches, their paths to walk and so on.”
In his personal experience, Romano leads the project Bayca in the province of Missionsdedicated to large-scale ecosystem restoration and conservation. He says that, after more than a decade of working in natural environments, he has observed how people who immerse themselves in nature experience a notable reduction in the use of electronic devices and an improvement in their mood. “You don’t know how people begin to relax after the second day they arrive in the middle of nature and their cell phone use decreases and their computer use decreases,” describes Romano, who considers that these experiences act as a “cleansing of our head.”
The conservationist warns that disconnection from nature is a recent phenomenon in evolutionary terms and that the human species is not adapted to live away from natural environments. “We evolved for many, many years in absolute connection with nature, like any other species. And in the last few hundred years we also disconnected a lot. So we are not prepared at the species level to be so disconnected from nature,” Romano reflects.
The key, according to the specialist, lies in establishing small and achievable goals that allow nature to be incorporated into the daily routine. “They are small things and many times they are what we are already doing, only we can change the place to be able to do it in a green environment and in the process take advantage of those benefits that nature has,” concludes Romano, who invites us to prioritize contact with the natural environment and reduce time in front of screens, in search of a more balanced and healthy life.
Photo and video: Belén Altieri – IWoKFilms
