Studies show that spending time in great outdoors and a little ways out of civilization (not too far, don't want you to get lost) can lead to physical and mental health benefits. Researchers have found that nature prescriptions - recommendations to spend time in nature - can reduce blood pressure and depression, and increase daily step count.
With evidence showing that contact with nature can help prevent issues like loneliness, depression, and cardiovascular disease, there is growing interest in nature prescriptions as a supplement to standard medical care. (Cause nothing beats loneliness like a bear chasing you!)
However, more research is needed to understand how to make nature prescriptions accessible to everyone and implement them in a sustained way. In light of these findings, it's clear that going outdoors more often can be a simple and effective way to boost our overall health and well-being. (No more computer gremlin time.)
Imagine being prescribed a new treatment by your doctor that is enjoyable and free and has potential side effects like spontaneous euphoria and being in a good mood. This treatment is not a drug or a medical procedure, but a recommendation to spend time in nature, also known as a "nature prescription."
Researchers from UNSW Sydney conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 studies testing the benefits of nature prescriptions on real-world patients. The review found that nature prescriptions had both physical and mental health benefits, including reduced blood pressure, lower depression and anxiety scores, and increased daily step count.
Contact with nature reduces harms from poor air quality, heatwaves, and chronic stress while encouraging healthy behaviors like socializing and physical activity, which can help prevent issues such as loneliness, depression, and cardiovascular disease.
Nature prescriptions are emerging as a supplement to standard medical care, and there is growing public interest in them.
Source: UNSW Sydney Newsroom.
