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It’s challenging providing health support to clients with different needs.
The burden of non-communicable diseases (including poor mental health) is increasing, and new tools are required.
Many practitioners are recommending that their clients and patients try a nature prescription
Learn about NatureFix Prescriptions
Ready to become a nature prescriber?
Click start prescribing, and we’ll email you a free resource pack with everything you need, including
A flyer on the health benefits of nature for your workspace
A nature prescription template because writing out a Nature prescription for your patents/clients is more effective.
Free access to the 10-day NatureFix program to try before you recommend it.
An exclusive discount for your patients or clients, lowering the price from $39.95 to $21.95 (AUD) making it easier for everyone to learn the skills required to maximise nature’s health advantages.
5 Simple steps for a successful prescription
1. Make nature time the next pillar of health.
Whenever you give lifestyle counselling for exercise, sleep habits, or mental health remember to add nature time as a recommendation.
2. Make it personal.
It’s about everyday nature:
Emphasis that this program works in their everyday nature. Ask: What nature is near you? What nature do you feel comfortable in? Where do you already go? Your client might like to visit a national park or botanic garden which is great, but definitely not required. Recommend them to start with the nature that is already part of their regular lifestyle routine.
Explain that getting the health benefits of nature is much more than just time outside, it’s about how we interact when we are there that matters. Literally “stopping to smell the roses” turns a minute in nature into a meaningful moment for maximum health outcomes.
Reduce the barriers:
Recognise and reduce barriers. Remember that almost anyone can increase the quality of time they spend in nature, no matter what their physical abilities are or where they live.
Know it is evidence-based:
Inform them with evidence. The nature prescription template (below) has a list of scientifically validated benefits, many from meta reviews or randomised controlled trials.
3. Schedule it.
Print out, and sign the nature prescription template below. Research shows that patients are more likely to fulfill a nature recommendation when it is written down. Agree on a start date.
4. Follow it up.
Check in on progress at the next appointment after you prescribe nature. Ask them to keep a brief journal of their experiences and any changes they notice. A novel way to do this is ask them to take a photo of their “meaningful nature moment.”
5 Lead from the front.
Your ability to motivate patients to adopt healthy habits can be enhanced by conveying your own positive experiences of noticing and appreciating nature.
Discover more about nature prescriptions
What is a Nature Prescription
Nature prescribing involves a primary health care worker recommending time in nature so as to benefit health. Nature prescribing is a complementary treatment to enhance overall wellbeing and quality of life .
A systematic review and meta-analysis, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, found that nature prescriptions provided both physical and mental health benefits. Patients had reduced blood pressure, as well as lower depression and anxiety scores – and they had a higher daily step count. A recent review of science found that
98% of people experienced a positive outcome for their mental health from a nature based intervention
83% of those with a physical health issue experienced a positive health outcome, and 75% experienced a cognitive outcome.
What other intervention is so widely applicable and effective
10 Day NatureFix
NatureFix's 10-day online program provides daily doses of nature for health, suitable for balconies, backyards, parks, or streets. It is reviewed by peers, is trauma-informed, and safe for all ages..
With six university partnerships and ongoing clinical trials, our work is based on evidence. Our program stands out by offering both direct exposure to nature and deeper engagement with it, encouraging people to notice and appreciate their surroundings. Simply being outside does not guarantee health benefits, as evidenced by outdoor professionals who may not thrive. The most effective nature prescriptions prioritize meaningful experiences in nature rather than just the duration of time spent outside.
Ready to start prescribing? Contact us to confirm your role as a primary health care worker. We’ll provide:
A flyer on the health benefits of nature for your workspace.
Free access to the 10-day program for you to try before recommending.
An exclusive 45% discount for your clients, reducing the price from $39.95 to $21.95, making nature connection skills accessible to all.
We also offer free access for those with health care cards and a printable Nature Prescription template to share with your clients. Because a written nature referral from a health care provider is always more effective.
Why doctors and health care workers are recommending nature
Green prescriptions are evidenced based.
The RACGP (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners) talks about green prescriptions and other global studies on the benefits of green prescribing for mental and social well-being. (Leavell et al., 2019) (Astell-Burt et al., 2023) (C. Capaldi et al., 2015) (Ivers & Astell-Burt, 2023).
Howards Frumkin (MD) from the Harvard School of Public health provides this comprehensive list of benefits
Immune function
Chemicals from being near trees boost immune functioning and activate anti-cancer proteins (Li et al., 2009).
Physical Health
Systematic reviews (studies of studies) show consistent reductions in blood pressure, increased step count, reduced cortisol (Nguyen et al., 2023).
More Exercise
Green exercise is more effective than indoor exercise, and people who exercise outside do it for longer (Boere et al., 2023)
Make it more than a walk in the park!
Health outcomes are amplified when we include deliberate noticing and appreciation
More satisfied with life
Consciously noticing and appreciating nature increases psychological measures of connection. Nature connectedness is 4-8 times more important for life satisfaction that socio-economic status. (Solis et al., 2024) (Martin et al., 2020).
Better with birds
Tuning into everyday bird sound improves life satisfaction and reduces stress (Buckley, 2023).
Mental Health Benefits
Multiple meta reviews show that having a meaningful moment in nature through activating all the senses makes people significantly happier compared to just being outside with no awareness of your surroundings. This leads to increased happiness and reduced depression and anxiety. (Richardson et al., 2021) (Chang et al., 2024) (Capaldi et al., 2014) (Martin et al., 2020). In the UK a trail of 8000 participants found depression and anxiety returned to above national averages after a nature-based intervention.
Nature makes you the best version of yourself
People who consciously notice beauty (including in nature) experience moral elevation, which is the desire to be the best versions of themselves, more helpful and more caring. (Diessner & Niemiec, 2023) (Piff et al., 2015).
Decrease anxiety
Attention restoration theory and stress reduction theory shows that the shapes, sounds and patterns of nature reduce stress and anxiety more than observing urban scenes (Kaplan, 1995).
Reduced depression
A randomised controlled trial (the most high quality research design) found reduction in depression after nature based therapy (Corazon et al., 2018).
Improved cognitive function
A review of multiple studies concludes that nature exposure reduces mental fatigue and restores focus (Jimenez et al., 2021). A comprehensive review of 40 studies found benefits can occur in as little as 10 minutes (Bettmann et al., 2024).
Improved Social Interactions
Engaging in outdoor activities enhances social interactions and fosters a sense of greater connection with community and place. This social engagement can contribute to better mental health and a stronger support network. (Arbuthnot 2023)
Improved Planetary Care:
Fostering a connection to nature leads to a greater appreciation for the environment, encouraging behaviours that support environmental conservation and sustainability. (Pritchard, A., Richardson, M. 2022)
Reseach Papers
Arbuthnot (2023) Nature exposure and social health: Prosocial behavior, social cohesion, and effect pathways,Journal of Environmental Psychology,Volume 90,2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102109
Astell-Burt, T., Hipp, J. A., Gatersleben, B., Adlakha, D., Marselle, M., Olcoń, K., Pappas, E., Kondo, M., Booth, G., Bacon, S., Lem, M., Francois, M., Halcomb, E., Moxham, L., Davidson, P., & Feng, X. (2023). Need and Interest in Nature Prescriptions to Protect Cardiovascular and Mental Health: A Nationally-Representative Study With Insights for Future Randomised Trials. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 32(1), 114–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlc.2022.11.008
Bettmann, J. E., Speelman, E., Blumenthal, E., Couch, S., & Schmalz, D. L. (2024). Nature Exposure, Even as Little as 10 Minutes, is Likely to Yield Short-Term Benefits for Adults with Mental Illness: A Meta Analysis. Ecopsychology, eco.2023.0063. https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2023.0063
Boere, K., Lloyd, K., Binsted, G., & Krigolson, O. E. (2023). Exercising is good for the brain but exercising outside is potentially better. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 1140. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-26093-2
Buckley, R. (2023). Birdsong and mental health. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 87, 102002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102002
Capaldi, C. A., Dopko, R. L., & Zelenski, J. M. (2014). The relationship between nature connectedness and happiness: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00976
Capaldi, C., Passmore, H.-A., Nisbet, E., Zelenski, J., & Dopko, R. (2015). Flourishing in nature: A review of the benefits of connecting with nature and its application as a wellbeing intervention. International Journal of Wellbeing, 5(4), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v5i4.449
Chang, C., Lin, B. B., Feng, X., Andersson, E., Gardner, J., & Astell-Burt, T. (2024). A lower connection to nature is related to lower mental health benefits from nature contact. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 6705. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56968-5
Corazon, S., Nyed, P., Sidenius, U., Poulsen, D., & Stigsdotter, U. (2018). A Long-Term Follow-Up of the Efficacy of Nature-Based Therapy for Adults Suffering from Stress-Related Illnesses on Levels of Healthcare Consumption and Sick-Leave Absence: A Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(1), 137. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15010137
Diessner, R., & Niemiec, R. M. (2023). Can Beauty Save the World? Appreciation of Beauty Predicts Proenvironmental Behavior and Moral Elevation Better Than 23 Other Character Strengths. Ecopsychology, 15(2), 93–109. https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2022.0047
Ivers, R., & Astell-Burt, T. (2023). Nature Rx: Nature prescribing in general practice. Australian Journal of General Practice, 52(4), 183–196. https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-01-23-6671
Jimenez, M. P., DeVille, N. V., Elliott, E. G., Schiff, J. E., Wilt, G. E., Hart, J. E., & James, P. (2021). Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9), 4790. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094790
Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3), 169–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2
Leavell, M. A., Leiferman, J. A., Gascon, M., Braddick, F., Gonzalez, J. C., & Litt, J. S. (2019). Nature-Based Social Prescribing in Urban Settings to Improve Social Connectedness and Mental Well-being: A Review. Current Environmental Health Reports, 6(4), 297–308. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-019-00251-7
Li, Q., Kobayashi, M., Wakayama, Y., Inagaki, H., Katsumata, M., Hirata, Y., Hirata, K., Shimizu, T., Kawada, T., Park, B. J., Ohira, T., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2009). Effect of Phytoncide from Trees on Human Natural Killer Cell Function. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 22(4), 951–959. https://doi.org/10.1177/039463200902200410
Martin, L., White, M. P., Hunt, A., Richardson, M., Pahl, S., & Burt, J. (2020). Nature contact, nature connectedness and associations with health, wellbeing and pro-environmental behaviours. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 68, 101389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2020.101389
Nguyen, P.-Y., Astell-Burt, T., Rahimi-Ardabili, H., & Feng, X. (2023). Effect of nature prescriptions on cardiometabolic and mental health, and physical activity: A systematic review. The Lancet Planetary Health, 7(4), e313–e328. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(23)00025-6
Piff, P. K., Dietze, P., Feinberg, M., Stancato, D. M., & Keltner, D. (2015). Awe, the small self, and prosocial behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 108(6), 883–899. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000018
Pritchard, A., Richardson, M. (2022). The Relationship Between Nature Connectedness and Human and Planetary Wellbeing: Implications for Promoting Wellbeing, Tackling Anthropogenic Climate Change and Overcoming Biodiversity Loss. In: Kemp, A.H., Edwards, D.J. (eds) Broadening the Scope of Wellbeing Science. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-18329-4_6
Richardson, M., Passmore, H.-A., Lumber, R., Thomas, R., & Hunt, A. (2021). Moments, not minutes: The nature-wellbeing relationship. International Journal of Wellbeing, 11(1), 8–33. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v11i1.1267
Solis, K., van Eeden, Rajeevan, U., Lin, B. B., Marsh, P., Lee, L., Keinger, L., & Flies, E. J. (2024). A National Survey on Nature Connection: Infographic summary. Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub: Sustainable People Environment Interactions. Download