Evidence

Green prescriptions are evidenced based.  The RACGP discusses green prescriptions here.   Plus many other international reviews on the efficacy of green prescribing for mental and social health.(Leavell et al., 2019) (Astell-Burt et al., 2023) (C. Capaldi et al., 2015) (Ivers & Astell-Burt, 2023)

Table of Benefits: Howards Frumkin (MD) from the Harvard School of Public health compiles a comprehensive list of benefits

Benefits of Contact with Nature

Increases immune supporting chemicals: Chemicals from being near trees can boost immune functioning and activate anti-cancer proteins (Li et al., 2009).

Good for your heart:  Systematic reviews (studies of studies) show consistent reductions in blood pressure, increased step count, reduced cortisol, and better mental health (Nguyen et al., 2023).

Green exercise better than indoor exercise: Improving overall health(Boere et al., 2023).

Additional Benefits of Connection with Nature

“The science of nature connection and health is based on scientific measurements of people’s nature connectedness – the strength of their emotional and psychological connections to the rest of the natural world.”

4-8 times 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).

Connected people are happier: 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 (Richardson et al., 2021) (Chang et al., 2024) (Capaldi et al., 2014) (Martin et al., 2020).

Awe 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).

Nature’s patterns are soothing: 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).

Nature restores focus: A review of multiple studies concludes that nature exposure reduces mental fatigue and restores focus (Jimenez et al., 2021).

It only takes 10 minutes: A comprehensive review of 40 studies found benefits can occur in as little as 10 minutes (Bettmann et al., 2024).

References

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

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