Nature Rx: Just What the Doctor Ordered

(Audio version)

Images courtesy of Laura Weber

Open up, and say, "Ahhh!" In 2020-21, when Covid-19 was causing planetary shut-down and isolation was the norm, a practice called "Social Prescribing" was taking off in the U.K. Social prescribing is a practice that connects patients with social activities and networks to improve overall health and well-being. Its focus is the question, "What matters to you?" rather than, "What's the matter with you?" as a way of understanding holistic health. Very quickly, "Green Social Prescribing" became constitutive, acknowledging the crucial interface of human health and well-being as we relate with one another and the natural world.

Where we live, work, relate, and play matters. Our primary and common Home, Earth, is not just a back-drop for the drama of human Life. We exploit, toxify, and pillage Earth to our own detriment. Earth is the marquee Actress in the drama of ALL Life in the biosphere, and the story unfolds with us in a key supporting role. We have only lately begun to understand the sad effects of seeing ourselves as separate from or dominating Earth, the disconnect and dis-ease caused by humanity in our common Home. We are in need of a palliative reconnection.

Julia Hotz, in her book, The Connection Cure, The prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service and Belonging, makes a strong case for Social Prescribing and especially Green Social Prescribing as key to holistic health, and potentially salvific for the future of a beleaguered U.S. health-care system.

It's not just good for humanity to be connected with one another and Earth, it's good for Earth. What we love, we protect. When we recreate in Nature, our energy and vitality spike. We also leave an energetic trace that is healthy for the planet, not just by refraining from pollution and harm, but actually tending and nurturing every being that grows and thrives along with us. Nature Rx, as it turns out is good for us AND for the biosphere.

Nature-based activities and practices have long been understood as central to mental, emotional, and physical vibrancy. Exercise outdoors, exploration of natural wild places, and Nature-immersive sensory experiences like Shinrin-Yoku have been well-documented in medical research as beneficial to the immune system, cardio-vascular, respiratory, and neurological health. More recently, the potent positive effects of Nature-rich experiences for attention-deficit disorders, dementia, depression, and anxiety have been touted. It is simply good for us to be immersed in Nature's healing energy.

How does it work? In the U.K., and already in process in the U.S., networks of advocates or "social prescribing link workers" and professional allies conduct various forms of "What matters to you?" conversations with patients referred by primary care providers. Local walking tours, community gardening, river floats, conservation and wild-care volunteer opportunities, patch birding, Nature art, photography, tai chi/qi gong in the park, and natural sound baths are some of the options. And there are many more. Social Prescribing U.S.A. is building a coalition of professional resources and networking opportunities with services like the ones provided by Environmental Soulutions, such as Nature-immersive therapies, programs, and retreats.

If you or someone you love suffers from Nature deficit disorder, online or social media addiction, social isolation, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, or other maladies associated with separation from Nature and human networks of friendship, companionship, and creative collaboration, reach out. Nature Rx may be just what the Doctor ordered.