There are hundreds of peer reviewed studies that demonstrate the physical, social and mental health benefits of contact with the natural world.
The Lancet is a peer-reviewed medical journal, one of the oldest of its kind, and one of the highest impact academic journals globally.
This systematic review, public in April 2023, by experts Nguyen, Astell-Burt, Rahimi-Ardabili and Feng, reviewed 92 unique scientific studies into the benefits of 'Nature prescribing' for human health.
Nature prescribing is gaining popularity within the public health and primary care community as a form of 'social prescribing' in support of public health.
“ ‘As long as this exists,’ I thought, ‘this sunshine and this cloudless sky, and as long as I can enjoy it, how can I be sad?’ ... As long as this exists, and that should be for ever, I know that there will be solace for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances. I firmly believe that nature can bring comfort to all who suffer.” – Anne Frank
The systematic review looked at the evidence on benefits to health from the previously completed research studies.
The systematic review found that:
* nature-based interventions were shown to be effective for various age groups, including children and older people
* nature-based interventions were targeted at a variety of conditions, including musculoskeletal disorders, psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular conditions
* meta-analyses on key outcomes demonstrated benefits to symptoms of depression and anxiety, benefits to blood pressure, and benefits to physical activity levels
* the benefits from nature prescribing were stronger where the interventions were recommended or organised by a health or social professional with an existing relationship to patients
* the nature prescription programs include different nature settings - including urban landscapes such as parks, forests, natural environments, lakes or seas, and farms or gardens
* programs can be tailored to meet the needs of participants, and health professionals, social and community services and workplace programs were all effective ways to introduce people to these programs
The review can be downloaded here
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” – John Muir
There are hundreds of peer reviewed studies that demonstrate the physical, social and mental health benefits of contact with the natural world.
The Lancet is a peer-reviewed medical journal, one of the oldest of its kind, and one of the highest impact academic journals globally.
This systematic review, public in April 2023, by experts Nguyen, Astell-Burt, Rahimi-Ardabili and Feng, reviewed 92 unique scientific studies into the benefits of 'Nature prescribing' for human health.
Nature prescribing is gaining popularity within the public health and primary care community as a form of 'social prescribing' in support of public health.
“ ‘As long as this exists,’ I thought, ‘this sunshine and this cloudless sky, and as long as I can enjoy it, how can I be sad?’ ... As long as this exists, and that should be for ever, I know that there will be solace for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances. I firmly believe that nature can bring comfort to all who suffer.” – Anne Frank
The systematic review looked at the evidence on benefits to health from the previously completed research studies.
The systematic review found that:
* nature-based interventions were shown to be effective for various age groups, including children and older people
* nature-based interventions were targeted at a variety of conditions, including musculoskeletal disorders, psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular conditions
* meta-analyses on key outcomes demonstrated benefits to symptoms of depression and anxiety, benefits to blood pressure, and benefits to physical activity levels
* the benefits from nature prescribing were stronger where the interventions were recommended or organised by a health or social professional with an existing relationship to patients
* the nature prescription programs include different nature settings - including urban landscapes such as parks, forests, natural environments, lakes or seas, and farms or gardens
* programs can be tailored to meet the needs of participants, and health professionals, social and community services and workplace programs were all effective ways to introduce people to these programs
The review can be downloaded here
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” – John Muir
I had an experience where I was volunteering with sea turtles in Costa Rica, writes ecologist and University of Tasmania PhD student Edith Shum. It was my first trip abroad and that kind of made me. It was the first time I was really out in nature on my own, and made me realise how small I was. It sparked a lot.
Karen Dick's love of seabirds goes back a long way to her university days. She is captivated by the big pelagics, who can live to a great age and spend most of their lives far out at sea. But these majestic creatures are also facing challenges.
According to legend, Mount Balinsasayaw originates from the Philippine swiftlet (aerodramus mearnsi), an endemic bird species known for its unique dark plumage and found throughout the Philippine islands from Luzon to Mindanao and Palawan, writes forester, photographer and environmental advocate Kynth Edrel B. Rebano.
In this series we'll introduce you to some key people involved in building the Bruny Island field guide. Here, Manager of the Kuno Earth Media Centre Dan Broun talks about how you can get involved with Kuno and share your knowledge and love of Nature.
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