Nature on prescription
In Japan, so-called "forest bathing" has been part of state prevention since the 1980s; in the USA, the Park Prescription initiative has been promoting cooperation between park administrations and health service providers since 2013.
In 2020, the British government launched a pilot project to improve the situation through prescribed nature activities in areas particularly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, where the rate of mental illness is said to be particularly high.
In this country, recreational stays have been common practice for many decades.
Even if it sounds unsurprising: Spending time in nature improves well-being
A study has now officially established this so that we have it in black and white and it could also be incorporated into the healthcare system.
A team of researchers from Australia analyzed 28 studies for the study. The results were published in The Lancet - Planetary Health in April.
The studies investigated whether and how the mental and physical health of people who had been prescribed nature retreats developed in comparison to a control group.
The evaluation of these studies showed that natural prescriptions lower blood pressure and significantly improve depression and anxiety disorders.
The positive effect on blood pressure was mainly found in measures that were prescribed or accompanied by doctors.
Depression and anxiety disorders also improved, especially when the nature activity was also accompanied by social workers.
What's the point?
Apart from the fact that it is often easier for people to take things for granted when clinical studies confirm them, previous studies have already shown that shownthat a walk in the forest has better effects than a walk in the city.
It has also been proven that the acoustics as well as the olfactory and visual stimuli in the forest regulate blood pressure. And even simply lying down on the ground in the forest has a positive effect on health.
This provides a scientific basis for health insurance companies to financially support health courses in the forest. Awareness of the positive effects of nature can also be increased. 💚
