Tranquillity (also spelled tranquility) is the quality of calm experienced in places with mainly natural features and activities, free from disturbance from man-made areas.

Benefits

Psychological research has highlighted why tranquillity is important. Being in a tranquil place allows people to relax, to escape from the stresses and strains of everyday life and to “recharge their batteries”.

Enjoyment

For many, the chance to experience tranquillity is what makes the countryside different from cities. In a survey by the United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) 58% of people said that tranquillity was the most positive feature of the countryside. Just as great art, design, and traditions allow us to enjoy our identity, so tranquillity allows us to see, hear, and feel the spectacular beauty of the natural world.

Health

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) mental illness such as depression is likely to be the primary cause of ill health by 2020.In addition there is growing concern in many Western countries about obesity.

Mounting evidence shows that exposure to nature contributes to physical and psychological well being. A review of over 100 studies into stress among 16-21 year-olds showed visiting natural environments to experience tranquility and solitude is an important stress-reliever. Other studies have found that exposure to nature helps people recover from drug and alcohol addictions.

Children who visit the countryside regularly are less likely to be obese and to suffer from attention-deficit disorder.

Economic

Since seeking tranquillity is an important reason why many people visit the countryside, the presence of tranquil areas helps boost rural tourism. Since rural tourism in the UK directly supports 380,000 jobs and £13.8 billion annually to the economy, and a recent survey showed that tranquillity is the main reason why 49% of visitors go are attracted to the countryside, one can conclude that tranquillity is worth 186,200 jobs and £6.76 billion a year to the economy.