We all leave a mark on the world around us every day. But our surroundings also leave a mark on us, influencing our mood, stress levels, wellbeing and pain.

Think about the world around you in colours, particularly green and blue:

• Green is land with lots of vegetation such as parks, forests and gardens.
• Blue is visible bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, ponds or the ocean.

Pain is impacted by both the environment within and around us. Experiencing both blue and green zones can help our bodies by supporting our immune and protection systems, positively influencing the way we experience pain.

How do these spaces impact my body?

Research shows that light can affect both mood and pain. For example, when you’re outside, you’re exposed to different wavelengths of light that indoor lighting can’t replace. Light in the morning seems to improve mood more than light in the afternoon.

You might find it better for your body to spend more time outdoors.

Green and blue spaces

• The colour green is calming to the nervous system.
• Nature can provide many different sensations that can excite or calm the body.
• Green spaces such as parks and places with trees can help calm your nervous system, moving away from the body’s flight, fight and freeze response.
• Green spaces also promote rest and relaxation.
• Other benefits of green spaces include better quality sleep, improved digestion, improved immune system function and connection, problem solving and creativity.
• Take a stroll and notice how your body reacts to different environments, different weather patterns and different light.
• In some countries, prescriptions for walks or swims are provided to patients to emphasise the importance of nature when it comes to supporting a healthy body and mind.

Tips to increase time in blue and green spaces

• Make it a part of your routine.
• Spending small amount of time in these spaces is better than none at all.
• Find a grassy spot or tree area to sit at lunch time.
• Sit outside for a meal, depending on the weather.
• Do your homework or reading outside.
• Start a small herb or veggie garden or plant a tree.
• Join a walking, running or outside exercise group.
• For shorter travel distances, consider walking rather than taking public transport or being driven.
• Explore your local parks and botanical gardens.
• Spot as much wildlife as you can in the day (you could try a competition with your friends).

Support options

• If you’re having difficulties with your mood, feeling overwhelmed or have questions about pelvic pain, talk to a trusted adult, your school wellbeing team or your local doctor (GP)
• Kids Helpline – a free and confidential phone support service, available 24/7

Disclaimer

This information is intended to support, not replace, advice from your doctor or healthcare professionals. It is general information only and may not apply to your individual circumstances. You should always check with your healthcare provider before making decisions about your care or starting, stopping or changing any treatment.

The authors of this consumer health information have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up-to-date and easy to understand. The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Medical knowledge can change over time and the information contained in the handouts is updated regularly. Therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.

Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne Kids and Teens Pelvic Pain Clinical Network multidisciplinary team, supported by RCH services.

The Kids and Teens Pelvic Pain Clinical Network is supported by the Victorian Government.