Background: Mental health and sleeping problems are public health concerns associated with vast costs for society and individuals. Exposure and access to natural environments in terms of greenspace (vegetation) are associated with a range of benefits such as enhanced affect and cognition, and decreased stress. However, population-based studies investigating high-resolution, individual-level residential greenspace are yet lacking, as population-based studies have mainly assessed greenspace at the level of larger areas rather than the individual level. Furthermore, studies on residential greenspace and sleep are scarce.

Objective & methods: Thus, in a set of large-scale population-based longitudinal studies, on nationwide cohorts in Sweden, objective high-resolution individual-level residential greenspace land cover assessments were made and the role of different greenspace qualities were investigated longitudinally for: 1) self-reported sleeping problems, 2) objective prescription medication purchase in terms of a) insomnia medications and b) antidepressants, while controlling for individual and neighbourhood confounders. Multilevel and generalized estimating equation models were conducted to estimate effects.

Results: Results across studies showed that more residential greenspace primarily in the immediate residential surrounding (50 m and 100 m buffer zones around home) is associated with 1) less sleeping problems, and 2) lower risk of purchasing insomnia and antidepressant prescription medications. Furthermore, among physically active, greenspace further from home also associated with less sleeping problems.

Conclusions: Results highlight the role of greenspace in the immediate residential surroundings for mental health and sleep outcomes, and the importance of integrating health-, environmental-, urban development- and greening policies, also mitigating climate change.