It has changed my life': How a dose of nature is treating mental illness

"Dose of Nature has already delivered 1,500 one-to-one courses and is outperforming standard NHS talking therapies, boasting a recovery rate of 64% compared with the health service's 50%, and a reliable improvement rate of 86% compared with 69%. Unlike most green social prescribing schemes, clients are referred directly by their GPs."

"The idea that nature is good for our mental health and wellbeing has been around for millennia. We evolved outside, under the sky, [and so] we are animals that are caged most of our time, in schools or cars or offices or homes. As soon as we get outside, we're free."

"There are two key parts to the Dose of Nature prescription: helping people get outside and, once there, to start noticing nature to calm their minds and bodies. It does not need to be a hike through beautiful countryside. Sitting on a local park bench is just as good."

Dose of Nature, founded by Alison Greenwood, a former NHS psychologist, prescribes time in nature as a treatment for mental health conditions. The charity has delivered 1,500 one-to-one courses with superior outcomes compared to standard NHS therapies, achieving 64% recovery rates versus 50% for traditional talking therapies, and 86% improvement rates versus 69%. Clients are referred directly by GPs, making nature prescriptions a genuine alternative to medication and psychological therapies. Exposure to nature provides serotonin boosts from sunlight and immune system benefits from phytoncides released by plants. The prescription involves two key components: helping people access outdoor spaces and teaching them to notice nature to calm their minds and bodies. Notably, effective nature exposure does not require extensive countryside hikes; sitting on a local park bench provides equivalent benefits.

Read at www.theguardian.com