A new study finds a link between what’s outside your window and your unhealthy eating habits
By Nicole Ganglani | Photo by Thanos Pal/Unsplash
If you’re looking for a better way to avoid junk food, a study suggests that seeing greenery will help curb your chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol cravings. The study reports that as opposed to people who aren’t usually exposed to greenery, those who have access to gardens have less intense cravings for unhealthy food.
Published in the Health and Place Journal, the study had over 149 participants from ages 21 to 65 answer an online survey on their demographics, environment, and negative affect, (depression, anxiety, etc.) and how they are related to their cravings for chocolate, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. The examiners then rated the intensity, imagery, and intrusiveness of their cravings on an 11-point scale.
The researchers also investigated the percentage of green space that each participant is exposed to on a daily basis. They found that those who are exposed to nature had less frequent and less strong cravings for junk food. Moreover, those who could actually see greenery outside their homes had higher chances of resisting junk food on a daily basis.
According to lead study author Leanne Martin, exposure to nature improves the mood, which then impacts cravings for junk. Martin however notes that more research is required to determine whether or not such benefits extend to other cravings.
Another way to avoid unhealthy eating habits is to exercise outdoors, which has been proven to benefit physical and mental well-being. So, if you’re looking for a way to stop your unhealthy habits, you know what to do.
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