Green spaces support our physical and mental well-being. Not only do they look beautiful, but they also contribute to cognitive performance, enhanced focus, and emotional health. That’s why access to natural environments is essential for students in school or college.

Green spaces in educational institutions impact academic performance, so why not integrate them into interior or outdoor design?

In this article, we’ll explore research-based insights provided by literature review services in USA on how green spaces can improve student focus and share practical strategies for schools to add greenery to their space.

5 Ways Green Spaces Improve Student Focus

1. Enhanced cognitive performance:

According to studies published by PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences), people who walk in natural settings instead of urban environments have better cognitive functioning and decreased rumination.

So, organizing a green space in school for students to spend breaks there will boost their mental clarity and productivity. Greens contribute to improved memory, attention, and concentration.

2. Stress relief and emotional well-being:

A few years ago, the Journal of Environmental Psychology revealed a study saying that even brief interactions with natural settings calm our body and mind, leading to stress reduction.

Given that stress is a significant barrier to focus and learning, greener schools could help students feel less anxious and concentrate better on their studies. The tranquil environment of natural settings may serve as a peaceful retreat from the school routine.

Also, exposure to green spaces enhances emotional regulation and decreases symptoms of depression: More emotionally balanced students will focus and retain information better.

3. Improved academic outcomes:

Schools with greenery boast higher academic performance of their students.

Indeed:

Research shows that students surrounded by vegetation perform better in tests. This is because of environmental distractions, leading to better attention regulation. According to the scientific literature on green space and academic performance, students in green schools are more proactive, productive, and efficient in learning.

4. Physical activity and brain health:

Access to green spaces promotes health and fitness among students:

They can play, walk, and exercise together in natural environments during breaks or after classes. It also promotes social interactions with peers, leading to improved social skills and more opportunities for collaborative learning.

Such physical activity impacts brain health:

A study in Nature Reviews Neuroscience found that exercise stimulates the release of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). It’s a protein essential for learning and memory. When students engage in physical activities in green spaces, their brains get ready for learning and focus.

5. No mental fatigue:

Did you hear about ART (Attention Restoration Theory)?

It suggests that natural environments help the brain reduce mental fatigue and recover from overstimulation by providing restorative experiences. For students in green areas, it means recharging their ability to concentrate on academic tasks. Even small pockets of greenery (courtyard gardens, tree-lined walkways, or green plants in classrooms) can enhance student attention and well-being.

How Schools Can Integrate Green Spaces into Campuses

The first idea that comes to mind is about creating school gardens and green playgrounds:

Plant trees around school premises to create shaded areas that reduce heat and motivate students to spend more time outside. It’s a cost-effective and sustainable way to make the area greener. Moreover, they can serve as visual material for biology and environmental science teachers to explain plant life cycles.

Green playgrounds will encourage physical activity and stimulate student creativity and imagination. Integrate grass, bushes, trees, and sand into the area, add logs and other structures for climbing and balancing — and you’ll get happy schoolers; now, they have a happy place to spend between classes and recharge for better focus during the next lesson.

Another option is green roofs or walls (so-called vertical gardens) in classrooms. They look beautiful and contribute to student health and performance during educational sessions.

If resources allow, schools can establish wildlife mini-habitats:

Students will observe and learn about species and ecosystems there, and these areas can serve as living laboratories for subjects like biology, ecology, and environmental science. Some ideas to try:

• Bird feeders
• Ponds with fish
• Butterfly gardens
• Wildlife corner in classrooms: Turtles, rabbits, hamsters, and parrots can live there, with students to take care of them

Also, schools can organize outdoor classrooms in green areas to give lessons when the weather allows. Spending time outside their traditional, often sterile, classroom environment, students feel more encouraged and open to learning.

Final Thoughts

That’s it. Green spaces are aesthetic additions to design and essential tools for improving cognitive functions, focus, and learning outcomes. Incorporate natural environments into your educational settings — and you’ll get happier, healthier, and higher-performing students.