LETTERS: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a nationwide Movement Control Order has been implemented since early last year to reduce the virus transmissions and infections.
However, the lockdown measures have been found to have an effect on the mental health of some members of society.
One may experience anxiety and anger apart from serious mental disorders such as depression and loneliness.
In order to deal with the challenges during this troubling period, we should be aware that nature can play an important role in mitigating the adverse mental health concerns.
In this respect, the World Health Organisation has stated that access to green space and connecting with nature are beneficial to mental wellbeing.
With Covid-19 restrictions having an impact on interaction and social recreation, spending time in the garden or park is among the easiest measures to keep a person mentally healthy.
Even looking at nature is believed to help in improving mental and physical health by providing an environment for relaxation and stress relief.
Gardening is another avenue for people to interact with nature. From the environmental perspective, plants can serve as effective air cleaners by absorbing pollutants and releasing clean oxygen.
Whereas from the psychological perspective, growing plants can promote emotional wellness, enhance overall life satisfaction and even improve cognitive function.
There are therapeutic values and effects, psychologically and spiritually, in looking at trees or caring for plants.
Since the lockdown, gardening seems to have become a popular activity and taken on a whole new dimension in providing mental health benefits.
It is a common perception that the pandemic has contributed to heightened mental and physical health vulnerabilities of societies the world over.
In their effort to reduce the risks of Covid-19 infection, policymakers need to balance safety measures, as well as prevent the broader effects of prolonged lockdown on mental health.
As a short-term measure, we should encourage people to take up gardening and consider providing them access to green space. Permission to use public parks should be permitted with supervision or strict guidelines.
In conclusion, everybody should have an understanding about the role and benefits of green space and gardening on mental health. It should be viewed positively and supported in the long term.
Associate Professor Dr Maizatun Mustafa
Legal Practice Department, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia
Dr Intan Aidura Alias
Department of Psychology, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times