Written by Deven Irwin (November 2022)
In our day and age, nature’s therapeutic benefits for improving well-being have often been overlooked and hard to quantify. Researchers theorize time spent in nature can restore our attention and counter mental fatigue which is caused by our urban and sensory-filled environments. Countless studies reveal that time spent in nature can improve physical and mental health such as reducing stress, improving sleep, and supporting the immune system.
Research supporting time in nature and positive health benefits:
- The 2020 study of Ecopsychology: How immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health.
- The 2019 article by Tom Banse: A Walk In The Park Is Just What The Doctor Ordered
- The 2020 article by Samantha Watters: A Dose of Nature. New Study Finds Even Short Times Outdoors Have Therapeutic Effects of Mental Health
- The 2019 article by Jill U. Adams: Birding With Benefits: How Nature Improves Our Mental Mindsets. Mounting Evidence Supporting The Health Benefits Of The Outdoors Is Helping Shape Innovators In Medicine, Education, and More
Exercise is not the only way to care for your physical and mental well-being. Simply spending time outdoors also works well! In a study involving 20,000 participants, researchers found that people who spent two hours a week in green spaces were more likely to report good health and psychological well-being than those who don’t.
Activities like birdwatching on our trails, listening to the sounds of Turtle Creek, or picnicking under our Cottonwood tree are just a few of the possibilities at Nature at the Confluence!
Some healthcare providers prescribe time in nature to their patients. To learn more visit the 815 Outside Rx page or talk to your provider today.
