This natural supplement is considered to be the safest option, as no study has ever found any negative side effects. It is safe for individuals of all ages, including children.
A treatment that is enjoyable and free, and comes with potential side effects of spontaneous euphoria and a better mood.
This recommendation is not for a drug or any medical procedure, but rather a ‘nature prescription’ which encourages spending time in nature.
A team of researchers from UNSW Sydney, led by Professor Xiaoqi Feng from UNSW Medicine & Health and Professor Thomas Astell-Burt from the University of Wollongong, Co-Directors of the Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), conducted a thorough analysis of 28 studies evaluating nature prescriptions’ efficacy in real-world patients.
The review published in The Lancet Planetary Health revealed that nature prescriptions can improve both physical(10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127349) and mental health. Patients who received such prescriptions experienced reduced blood pressure(10.1016/j.hlc.2022.10.018), lower depression(10.1016/S2542-5196(22)00306-0) and anxiety scores(10.1007/s00127-022-02381-0), and a higher daily step count.
The study shows “nature prescriptions can help to restore and build capacities for better physical and mental health. What we need now is to work out how to make nature prescriptions happen in a sustained way for those people with high potential to benefit, but who currently spend little time in nature,” adds Prof. Feng.
The investigation found that exposure to nature can help reduce the harmful effects of poor air quality, heatwaves, and chronic stress, as well as promote healthy behaviors such as socializing and physical activity. Such exposure can aid in the prevention of various health issues, including but not limited to loneliness, depression, and cardiovascular disease.
“This study is built upon a long-term program of research that we are doing, where we show contact with nature – and trees especially – is really good for strengthening mental and physical health across our lives,” points out Prof. Feng.
According to a previous study conducted by Professor Feng, living in proximity to specific types of green spaces can significantly improve one’s health. For instance, in the study conducted among almost 47,000 adults in New South Wales (NSW), those residing in areas with a tree canopy of 30% or more reported better overall health and reduced psychological distress. These findings have informed the City of Sydney’s $377 million initiative to achieve 40% green cover by 2050.
“But even if you have a high-quality green space like a park nearby, it doesn’t mean that everyone will visit and benefit from it,” according to Prof. Feng.
“How can we encourage and enable people to (re)connect with nature? That’s where the idea of a nature prescription comes in.”
Nature prescriptions are becoming increasingly popular as a supplement to traditional medical care. For instance, the UK Government has recently allocated £5.77 million (around $9.36 million) to fund a pilot program for “green social prescribing,” while Canada has implemented a national nature prescription program.
In Australia, there is a rising interest in nature prescriptions among the general public. According to a recent survey of Australian adults conducted by Professor Feng, over 80% of respondents were open to the idea.
Despite this, there are currently no large-scale nature prescription initiatives in Australia. Further research is required to determine how nature prescriptions could be effectively integrated into the local healthcare landscape.
“So how long should the nature prescription be for? What should be in the prescription? How should we deliver it, and by whom? These questions don’t have firm answers yet,” adds Prof. Feng.
“If we want nature prescriptions to become a national scheme, we really need to provide the evidence.”
Ensuring that nature prescriptions are available to all Australians is crucial. Research conducted by Professors Astell-Burt and Feng has revealed that low-income communities often lack access to green spaces, despite being at greater risk of developing chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
“We don’t want nature prescriptions to be a luxury item for the rich who already have access to beaches and a lot of high-quality green space,” Prof. Feng points out. “We want these benefits for everyone.”
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