The PaRx website describes just some of the findings from hundreds of studies about nature's effect on human health. Spending time in a forest drops stress hormone levels within 15 minutes, reduces inflammation in adults with COPD and risk of lung infections.12 Increased time in nature makes a person less likely to develop heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes.2 Nature therapy improves the psychological wellbeing of cancer patients and activates tumor-killing cells1.
For children, time in nature boosts resilience and lessens anxiety and3 . A 20-minute walk in the park is comparable to medication when it comes to improving concentration in kids with ADHD4. Kids with more green space in their neighborhoods have lower rates of asthma and higher test scores and graduation rates.5
Offering a written prescription makes it more likely that people will follow through. As Dr. Lem said, "When I want one of my patients to remember something, I always write it down on a piece of paper and hand it to them – or, these days, send them an email so they'll remember. It's really easy to forget verbal advice." The PaRx website allows patients to log their daily outdoor time for doctors to review, offering accountability that often helps to motivate.
[---]
This is a great idea that Ontario picked up from British Columbia's example, implemented in late 2020. It's likely to spread further afield as both health care providers and patients alike realize what a hidden (and affordable) gem the outdoor world can be when it comes to boosting health. The interesting thing about time spent in nature is that, the more you do it, the more you want it, so the benefits continue to accrue once the habit is established. That is, of course, the best kind of treatment a person could ever wish for.
- More Here
No comments:
Post a Comment