A dose of nature: doctors prescribe a day in the park for anxiety
NBC -
![[Image: 15492172_G.jpg]](http://wrcb.images.worldnow.com/images/15492172_G.jpg)
For many patients, like Lauren Huddle, 31, a big dose of Mother Nature is exactly what she needs after a stressful day.
“I have pretty bad anxiety and depression,” said Huddle of Bellingham, Washington. “And I don't do well with pharmaceuticals, so my husband Nate would actually tell me all the time, ‘just go outside, you'll feel so much better.’"
And that’s exactly the plan that Lauren and her doctor laid out.
The Huddle’s family physician wrote her a prescription that read: “Five times a week… spend 30 minutes at a park near your home.”
Huddle's treatment plan is part of a growing field of medicine called "ecotherapy" — nature-based programs and exercises that can help patients cope with mental and physical illnesses.
Instead of prescriptions for more pills, doctors around the country are increasingly prescribing trips to the park for a range of conditions, including anxiety and depression, attention deficit disorder and chronic illness such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
“We work with the doctors, nurses, and health care providers around the country and show them why it’s so relevant to prescribe parks and how easy it is to do, so that they can make it a part of their daily routine,” said Dr. Robert Zarr, medical director of the nonprofit Park RX America and Unity Healthcare, a Washington, D.C. group that coordinates with managers of public lands and over 50 doctors in 11 states.
The healing power of nature
There's plenty of evidence of the healing power of a walk in the woods.
“Forest bathing,” a version of the Japanese practice Shinrin-Yoku, is taking off in American as a way to boost happiness and help with insomnia. And scientists have long studied how going into nature changes the way the brain works.
Researchers at the University of Essex found that 9 out of 10 patient suffering from depression felt "higher self-esteem after a walk through a park."
Almost three-quarters reported feeling less depressed and the researchers found that people recovered faster from illnesses through an 'immunizing' effect that protected them from future stresses.
During ecotherapy, which combines nature walks with therapy sessions and simple exercises, patients are instructed to focus on three key elements:
The sounds of chirping birds
The visuals of trees and leaves
and the sound of streams or rivers
"We write prescriptions for all kinds of medicines. In addition to that we're starting to see nature and parks, not just as a place to recreate, but literally as a place to heal yourself," Zarr said.
Huddle got her prescription just three weeks ago and has already begun to see the positive effects.
"Just going out there, little bit by little bit, I noticed my temperament was better and my anxiety started to greatly decrease," said Huddle.
==========
A dose of nature: doctors prescribe a day in the park for anxiety
“I have beautiful horrible anxiety and depression,” said Huddle of Bellingham, Washington.
“And I don't do well with pharmaceuticals, so my husband Nate would actually tell me all the time, ‘just go outside, you'll perceive so much better.’" And that’s precisely the map that Lauren and her Dr laid out.
![[Image: 924815_170829-better-two-people-walking-...60-360.jpg]](http://1wnc.com/images/news/2017-11-25/924815_170829-better-two-people-walking-path-se-612p_6d6afec319c42d9fb5944ba0d1697617.nbcnews-fp-360-360.jpg)
For many patients, love Lauren Huddle, thirty-one, a large dose of Mother Nature is precisely what she needs after a stressful day.
“I have beautiful horrible anxiety and depression,” said Huddle of Bellingham, Washington.
“And I don't do well with pharmaceuticals, so my husband Nate would actually tell me all the time, ‘just go outside, you'll perceive so much better.’"
And that’s precisely the map that Lauren and her Dr laid out.
The Huddle’s family physician wrote her a prescription that read: “Five times a week… spend thirty minutes at a park close your home.”
Huddle'south treatment map is portion of a growing field of medicine called "ecotherapy" — nature-based programs and exercises that can assistance patients cope with mental and physical illnesses. Instead of prescriptions for more pills, doctors around the country are increasingly prescribing trips to the park for a range of conditions, including anxiety and depression, attention deficit disorder and chronic illness such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Mental health problems rising among college students
“We work with the doctors, nurses, and health care providers around the country and indicate them why it’s so relevant to prescribe parks and how simple it's to do, so that they can create it a portion of their daily routine,” said Dr. Robert Zarr, medical director of the nonprofit Park RX America and Unity Healthcare, a Washington, D. C. grouping that coordinates with managers of public lands and over fifty doctors in eleventh states.
The healing power of nature
There'south plenty of proof of the healing power of a walk in the woods. “Forest bathing,” a version of the Japanese practice Shinrin-Yoku, is taking off in American as a way to boost happiness and assistance with insomnia. And scientists have long studied how going into nature changes the way the brain works.
Researchers at the Univ of Essex found that nine out of ten patient suffering from depression felt "higher self-esteem after a walk through a park."
Nearly three-quarters reported feeling less depressed and the researchers found that people recovered faster from illnesses through an 'immunizing' effect that protected them from future stresses.
This digital pill will track your psychiatric meds
During ecotherapy, which combines nature walks with therapy sessions and ordinary exercises, patients are instructed to focus on three key elements:
"We write prescriptions for all kinds of medicines. In addition to that we're starting to look nature and parks, not just as a space to recreate, but literally as a space to heal yourself," Zarr said.
Huddle got her prescription just three weeks ago and has already begun to look the positive effects.
"Just going out there, tiny bit by small bit, I noticed my temperament was better and my anxiety started to greatly decrease," said Huddle.
A dose of nature: doctors prescribe a day in the park for anxiety
by Shamard Charles, MDNov 25 2017, 7:31 pm ET
For many patients, like Lauren Huddle, 31, a big dose of Mother Nature is exactly what she needs after a stressful day.
“I have pretty bad anxiety and depression,” said Huddle of Bellingham, Washington. “And I don't do well with pharmaceuticals, so my husband Nate would actually tell me all the time, ‘just go outside, you'll feel so much better.’"
And that’s exactly the plan that Lauren and her doctor laid out.
The Huddle’s family physician wrote her a prescription that read: “Five times a week… spend 30 minutes at a park near your home.”
Huddle's treatment plan is part of a growing field of medicine called "ecotherapy" — nature-based programs and exercises that can help patients cope with mental and physical illnesses. Instead of prescriptions for more pills, doctors around the country are increasingly prescribing trips to the park for a range of conditions, including anxiety and depression, attention deficit disorder and chronic illness such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Related: Mental health problems rising among college students
“We work with the doctors, nurses, and health care providers around the country and show them why it’s so relevant to prescribe parks and how easy it is to do, so that they can make it a part of their daily routine,” said Dr. Robert Zarr, medical director of the nonprofit Park RX America and Unity Healthcare, a Washington, D.C. group that coordinates with managers of public lands and over 50 doctors in 11 states.
The healing power of nature
There's plenty of evidence of the healing power of a walk in the woods. “Forest bathing,” a version of the Japanese practice Shinrin-Yoku, is taking off in American as a way to boost happiness and help with insomnia. And scientists have long studied how going into nature changes the way the brain works.
Researchers at the University of Essex found that 9 out of 10 patient suffering from depression felt "higher self-esteem after a walk through a park."
Almost three-quarters reported feeling less depressed and the researchers found that people recovered faster from illnesses through an 'immunizing' effect that protected them from future stresses.
Related: This digital pill will track your psychiatric meds
During ecotherapy, which combines nature walks with therapy sessions and simple exercises, patients are instructed to focus on three key elements:
"We write prescriptions for all kinds of medicines. In addition to that we're starting to see nature and parks, not just as a place to recreate, but literally as a place to heal yourself," Zarr said.
Huddle got her prescription just three weeks ago and has already begun to see the positive effects.
"Just going out there, little bit by little bit, I noticed my temperament was better and my anxiety started to greatly decrease," said Huddle.
NBC -
For many patients, like Lauren Huddle, 31, a big dose of Mother Nature is exactly what she needs after a stressful day.
“I have pretty bad anxiety and depression,” said Huddle of Bellingham, Washington. “And I don't do well with pharmaceuticals, so my husband Nate would actually tell me all the time, ‘just go outside, you'll feel so much better.’"
And that’s exactly the plan that Lauren and her doctor laid out.
The Huddle’s family physician wrote her a prescription that read: “Five times a week… spend 30 minutes at a park near your home.”
Huddle's treatment plan is part of a growing field of medicine called "ecotherapy" — nature-based programs and exercises that can help patients cope with mental and physical illnesses.
Instead of prescriptions for more pills, doctors around the country are increasingly prescribing trips to the park for a range of conditions, including anxiety and depression, attention deficit disorder and chronic illness such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
“We work with the doctors, nurses, and health care providers around the country and show them why it’s so relevant to prescribe parks and how easy it is to do, so that they can make it a part of their daily routine,” said Dr. Robert Zarr, medical director of the nonprofit Park RX America and Unity Healthcare, a Washington, D.C. group that coordinates with managers of public lands and over 50 doctors in 11 states.
The healing power of nature
There's plenty of evidence of the healing power of a walk in the woods.
“Forest bathing,” a version of the Japanese practice Shinrin-Yoku, is taking off in American as a way to boost happiness and help with insomnia. And scientists have long studied how going into nature changes the way the brain works.
Researchers at the University of Essex found that 9 out of 10 patient suffering from depression felt "higher self-esteem after a walk through a park."
Almost three-quarters reported feeling less depressed and the researchers found that people recovered faster from illnesses through an 'immunizing' effect that protected them from future stresses.
During ecotherapy, which combines nature walks with therapy sessions and simple exercises, patients are instructed to focus on three key elements:
The sounds of chirping birds
The visuals of trees and leaves
and the sound of streams or rivers
"We write prescriptions for all kinds of medicines. In addition to that we're starting to see nature and parks, not just as a place to recreate, but literally as a place to heal yourself," Zarr said.
Huddle got her prescription just three weeks ago and has already begun to see the positive effects.
"Just going out there, little bit by little bit, I noticed my temperament was better and my anxiety started to greatly decrease," said Huddle.
==========
A dose of nature: doctors prescribe a day in the park for anxiety
“I have beautiful horrible anxiety and depression,” said Huddle of Bellingham, Washington.
“And I don't do well with pharmaceuticals, so my husband Nate would actually tell me all the time, ‘just go outside, you'll perceive so much better.’" And that’s precisely the map that Lauren and her Dr laid out.
For many patients, love Lauren Huddle, thirty-one, a large dose of Mother Nature is precisely what she needs after a stressful day.
“I have beautiful horrible anxiety and depression,” said Huddle of Bellingham, Washington.
“And I don't do well with pharmaceuticals, so my husband Nate would actually tell me all the time, ‘just go outside, you'll perceive so much better.’"
And that’s precisely the map that Lauren and her Dr laid out.
The Huddle’s family physician wrote her a prescription that read: “Five times a week… spend thirty minutes at a park close your home.”
Huddle'south treatment map is portion of a growing field of medicine called "ecotherapy" — nature-based programs and exercises that can assistance patients cope with mental and physical illnesses. Instead of prescriptions for more pills, doctors around the country are increasingly prescribing trips to the park for a range of conditions, including anxiety and depression, attention deficit disorder and chronic illness such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Mental health problems rising among college students
“We work with the doctors, nurses, and health care providers around the country and indicate them why it’s so relevant to prescribe parks and how simple it's to do, so that they can create it a portion of their daily routine,” said Dr. Robert Zarr, medical director of the nonprofit Park RX America and Unity Healthcare, a Washington, D. C. grouping that coordinates with managers of public lands and over fifty doctors in eleventh states.
The healing power of nature
There'south plenty of proof of the healing power of a walk in the woods. “Forest bathing,” a version of the Japanese practice Shinrin-Yoku, is taking off in American as a way to boost happiness and assistance with insomnia. And scientists have long studied how going into nature changes the way the brain works.
Researchers at the Univ of Essex found that nine out of ten patient suffering from depression felt "higher self-esteem after a walk through a park."
Nearly three-quarters reported feeling less depressed and the researchers found that people recovered faster from illnesses through an 'immunizing' effect that protected them from future stresses.
This digital pill will track your psychiatric meds
During ecotherapy, which combines nature walks with therapy sessions and ordinary exercises, patients are instructed to focus on three key elements:
"We write prescriptions for all kinds of medicines. In addition to that we're starting to look nature and parks, not just as a space to recreate, but literally as a space to heal yourself," Zarr said.
Huddle got her prescription just three weeks ago and has already begun to look the positive effects.
"Just going out there, tiny bit by small bit, I noticed my temperament was better and my anxiety started to greatly decrease," said Huddle.
A dose of nature: doctors prescribe a day in the park for anxiety
by Shamard Charles, MDNov 25 2017, 7:31 pm ET
For many patients, like Lauren Huddle, 31, a big dose of Mother Nature is exactly what she needs after a stressful day.
“I have pretty bad anxiety and depression,” said Huddle of Bellingham, Washington. “And I don't do well with pharmaceuticals, so my husband Nate would actually tell me all the time, ‘just go outside, you'll feel so much better.’"
And that’s exactly the plan that Lauren and her doctor laid out.
The Huddle’s family physician wrote her a prescription that read: “Five times a week… spend 30 minutes at a park near your home.”
Huddle's treatment plan is part of a growing field of medicine called "ecotherapy" — nature-based programs and exercises that can help patients cope with mental and physical illnesses. Instead of prescriptions for more pills, doctors around the country are increasingly prescribing trips to the park for a range of conditions, including anxiety and depression, attention deficit disorder and chronic illness such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Related: Mental health problems rising among college students
“We work with the doctors, nurses, and health care providers around the country and show them why it’s so relevant to prescribe parks and how easy it is to do, so that they can make it a part of their daily routine,” said Dr. Robert Zarr, medical director of the nonprofit Park RX America and Unity Healthcare, a Washington, D.C. group that coordinates with managers of public lands and over 50 doctors in 11 states.
The healing power of nature
There's plenty of evidence of the healing power of a walk in the woods. “Forest bathing,” a version of the Japanese practice Shinrin-Yoku, is taking off in American as a way to boost happiness and help with insomnia. And scientists have long studied how going into nature changes the way the brain works.
Researchers at the University of Essex found that 9 out of 10 patient suffering from depression felt "higher self-esteem after a walk through a park."
Almost three-quarters reported feeling less depressed and the researchers found that people recovered faster from illnesses through an 'immunizing' effect that protected them from future stresses.
Related: This digital pill will track your psychiatric meds
During ecotherapy, which combines nature walks with therapy sessions and simple exercises, patients are instructed to focus on three key elements:
- The sounds of chirping birds
- The visuals of trees and leaves
- and the sound of streams or rivers
"We write prescriptions for all kinds of medicines. In addition to that we're starting to see nature and parks, not just as a place to recreate, but literally as a place to heal yourself," Zarr said.
Huddle got her prescription just three weeks ago and has already begun to see the positive effects.
"Just going out there, little bit by little bit, I noticed my temperament was better and my anxiety started to greatly decrease," said Huddle.
