Backed by hundreds of studies over several decades, research suggests that connecting to nature is one of the best things you can do to improve your health. Find out why below.
Overview
PaRx isn’t just a good idea, it’s backed by science. Use the filters below to access peer-reviewed academic articles examining the clinical, psychological, and social health impacts of nature exposure.
Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing
Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing
Clinic and Park Partnerships for Childhood Resilience: A prospective study of Park prescriptions
Clinic and Park Partnerships for Childhood Resilience: A prospective study of Park prescriptions
The role of urban design in childhood obesity: A case study in Lisbon, Portugal
The role of urban design in childhood obesity: A case study in Lisbon, Portugal
Growing resilience through interaction with nature: Can group walks in nature buffer the effects of stressful life events on mental health?
Growing resilience through interaction with nature: Can group walks in nature buffer the effects of stressful life events on mental health?
Walking green: Developing an evidence base for nature prescriptions
Walking green: Developing an evidence base for nature prescriptions
Urban nature experiences reduce stress in the context of daily life based on salivary biomarkers
Urban nature experiences reduce stress in the context of daily life based on salivary biomarkers
Residential green space in childhood is associated with lower risk of psychiatric disorders from adolescence into adulthood
Residential green space in childhood is associated with lower risk of psychiatric disorders from adolescence into adulthood
Association of Urban Green Space with mental health and general health among adults in Australia
Association of Urban Green Space with mental health and general health among adults in Australia
Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective
Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective
Effect of park prescriptions with and without group visits to parks on stress reduction in low-income parents: SHINE randomized trial
Effect of park prescriptions with and without group visits to parks on stress reduction in low-income parents: SHINE randomized trial
The health benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes
The health benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes
Is Nature Relatedness a Basic Human Psychological Need? A Critical Examination of the Extant Literature
Is Nature Relatedness a Basic Human Psychological Need? A Critical Examination of the Extant Literature
Urban Green Space and Its Impact on Human Health
Urban Green Space and Its Impact on Human Health
The effects of forest bathing on stress recovery: Evidence from middle-aged females of Taiwan
The effects of forest bathing on stress recovery: Evidence from middle-aged females of Taiwan
Residential greenness and prevalence of major depressive disorders: A cross-sectional, observational, associational study of 94 879 adult UK Biobank participants
Residential greenness and prevalence of major depressive disorders: A cross-sectional, observational, associational study of 94 879 adult UK Biobank participants
A prescription for "nature" – the potential of using virtual nature in therapeutics
A prescription for "nature" – the potential of using virtual nature in therapeutics
Effects of horticultural therapy on Asian older adults: A randomized controlled trial
Effects of horticultural therapy on Asian older adults: A randomized controlled trial
Reduced stress and improved physical functional ability in elderly with mental health problems following a horticultural therapy program
Reduced stress and improved physical functional ability in elderly with mental health problems following a horticultural therapy program
Vegetation diversity protects against childhood asthma: Results from a large New Zealand birth cohort
Vegetation diversity protects against childhood asthma: Results from a large New Zealand birth cohort
The association between lifelong greenspace exposure and 3-dimensional brain magnetic resonance imaging in Barcelona schoolchildren
The association between lifelong greenspace exposure and 3-dimensional brain magnetic resonance imaging in Barcelona schoolchildren
Residential green space and pathways to term birth weight in the Canadian healthy infant longitudinal development (child) study
Residential green space and pathways to term birth weight in the Canadian healthy infant longitudinal development (child) study
Impact of nurses taking daily work breaks in a hospital garden on burnout
Impact of nurses taking daily work breaks in a hospital garden on burnout
The role of neighbourhood greenspace in children’s spatial working memory
The role of neighbourhood greenspace in children’s spatial working memory
More green space is related to less antidepressant prescription rates in the Netherlands: A Bayesian geoadditive quantile regression approach
More green space is related to less antidepressant prescription rates in the Netherlands: A Bayesian geoadditive quantile regression approach
Inverse relationship between urban green space and childhood autism in California elementary school districts
Inverse relationship between urban green space and childhood autism in California elementary school districts
Impact of London’s road traffic air and noise pollution on birth weight: Retrospective population based cohort study
Impact of London’s road traffic air and noise pollution on birth weight: Retrospective population based cohort study
Doses of nearby nature simultaneously associated with multiple health benefits
Doses of nearby nature simultaneously associated with multiple health benefits
The role of nature in cancer patients’ lives: A systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis
The role of nature in cancer patients’ lives: A systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis
Residential greenness and risk of prostate cancer: A case-control study in Montreal, Canada
Residential greenness and risk of prostate cancer: A case-control study in Montreal, Canada
Park prescription (DC Park Rx): A new strategy to combat chronic disease in children
Park prescription (DC Park Rx): A new strategy to combat chronic disease in children
Promoting resiliency in adolescent girls through adventure programming
Promoting resiliency in adolescent girls through adventure programming
Associations between neighbourhood greenness and asthma in preschool children in Kaunas, Lithuania: A case–control study
Associations between neighbourhood greenness and asthma in preschool children in Kaunas, Lithuania: A case–control study
Impact of urban nature on executive functioning in early and middle childhood
Impact of urban nature on executive functioning in early and middle childhood
Health benefits from nature experiences depend on dose
Health benefits from nature experiences depend on dose
Urban natural environments, obesity, and health-related quality of life among Hispanic children living in inner-city neighborhoods
Urban natural environments, obesity, and health-related quality of life among Hispanic children living in inner-city neighborhoods
When pediatric primary care providers prescribe nature engagement at a state park, do children “Fill” the prescription?
When pediatric primary care providers prescribe nature engagement at a state park, do children “Fill” the prescription?
Wilderness adventure therapy effects on the mental health of youth participants
Wilderness adventure therapy effects on the mental health of youth participants
Understanding the burnout experience: Recent research and its implications for psychiatry
Understanding the burnout experience: Recent research and its implications for psychiatry
Home gardening and the health and well-being of adolescents
Home gardening and the health and well-being of adolescents
Modification of heat-related mortality in an elderly urban population by vegetation (urban green) and proximity to water (urban blue): Evidence from Lisbon, Portugal
Modification of heat-related mortality in an elderly urban population by vegetation (urban green) and proximity to water (urban blue): Evidence from Lisbon, Portugal
Economic values of metro nature health benefits: A life course approach
Economic values of metro nature health benefits: A life course approach
Green areas around homes reduce atopic sensitization in children
Green areas around homes reduce atopic sensitization in children
Physiological and psychological effects of forest therapy on middle-aged males with high-normal blood pressure
Physiological and psychological effects of forest therapy on middle-aged males with high-normal blood pressure
Analysis of individual variations in autonomic responses to urban and forest environments
Analysis of individual variations in autonomic responses to urban and forest environments
Neighborhood greenspace and health in a large urban center
Neighborhood greenspace and health in a large urban center
Impact on human health of climate changes
Impact on human health of climate changes
Benefits of nature contact for children
Benefits of nature contact for children
Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation
Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation
Mental health benefits of long-term exposure to residential green and blue spaces: A systematic review
Mental health benefits of long-term exposure to residential green and blue spaces: A systematic review
Is there evidence that walking groups have health benefits? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Is there evidence that walking groups have health benefits? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Green spaces and cognitive development in primary schoolchildren
Green spaces and cognitive development in primary schoolchildren
Mindfulness: An effective coaching tool for improving physical and mental health
Mindfulness: An effective coaching tool for improving physical and mental health
Promoting resilience and wellbeing through an outdoor intervention designed for Aboriginal adolescents
Promoting resilience and wellbeing through an outdoor intervention designed for Aboriginal adolescents
Do mothers living in greener neighbourhoods have healthier babies?
Do mothers living in greener neighbourhoods have healthier babies?
Tree and forest effects on air quality and human health in the United States
Tree and forest effects on air quality and human health in the United States
Efficacy of outdoor adventure education in developing emotional intelligence during adolescence
Efficacy of outdoor adventure education in developing emotional intelligence during adolescence
Access to urban green spaces and behavioural problems in children: Results from the GINIplus and LISAplus studies
Access to urban green spaces and behavioural problems in children: Results from the GINIplus and LISAplus studies
An estimate of the cost of burnout on early retirement and reduction in clinical hours of practicing physicians in Canada
An estimate of the cost of burnout on early retirement and reduction in clinical hours of practicing physicians in Canada
Green schoolyards as havens from stress and resources for resilience in childhood and adolescence
Green schoolyards as havens from stress and resources for resilience in childhood and adolescence
Green and blue spaces and behavioral development in Barcelona schoolchildren: The Breathe Project
Green and blue spaces and behavioral development in Barcelona schoolchildren: The Breathe Project
Greenness and allergies: Evidence of differential associations in two areas in Germany
Greenness and allergies: Evidence of differential associations in two areas in Germany
Green spaces and adverse pregnancy outcome
Green spaces and adverse pregnancy outcome
Regulation of the immune system by biodiversity from the natural environment: An ecosystem service essential to health
Regulation of the immune system by biodiversity from the natural environment: An ecosystem service essential to health
Spiritual care of cancer patients by integrated medicine in urban green space: A pilot study
Spiritual care of cancer patients by integrated medicine in urban green space: A pilot study
Overweight and obesity in minority children and implications for family and community social work
Overweight and obesity in minority children and implications for family and community social work
The relationship between trees and human health
The relationship between trees and human health
From ‘healthful exercise’ to ‘nature on prescription’: The politics of urban green spaces and walking for health
From ‘healthful exercise’ to ‘nature on prescription’: The politics of urban green spaces and walking for health
Harvest for health gardening intervention feasibility study in cancer survivors
Harvest for health gardening intervention feasibility study in cancer survivors
Neighbourhood green space and the odds of having skin cancer: Multilevel evidence of survey data from 267072 Australians
Neighbourhood green space and the odds of having skin cancer: Multilevel evidence of survey data from 267072 Australians
Urban environment and children’s active lifestyle: SoftGIS revealing children’s behavioral patterns and meaningful places
Urban environment and children’s active lifestyle: SoftGIS revealing children’s behavioral patterns and meaningful places
Environmental biodiversity, human microbiota, and allergy are interrelated
Environmental biodiversity, human microbiota, and allergy are interrelated
The built environment moderates effects of family-based childhood obesity treatment over 2 years
The built environment moderates effects of family-based childhood obesity treatment over 2 years
Interacting with nature improves cognition and affect for individuals with depression
Interacting with nature improves cognition and affect for individuals with depression
Creativity in the wild: Improving creative reasoning through immersion in natural settings
Creativity in the wild: Improving creative reasoning through immersion in natural settings
The quality of the outdoor environment influences childrens health – a cross‐sectional study of preschools
The quality of the outdoor environment influences childrens health – a cross‐sectional study of preschools
The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health
The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health
The effects of physical activity and physical fitness on children’s achievement and cognitive outcomes
The effects of physical activity and physical fitness on children’s achievement and cognitive outcomes
Does participating in physical activity in outdoor natural environments have a greater effect on physical and mental wellbeing than physical activity indoors? A systematic review
Does participating in physical activity in outdoor natural environments have a greater effect on physical and mental wellbeing than physical activity indoors? A systematic review
Exercise-, nature- and socially interactive-based initiatives improve mood and self-esteem in the clinical population
Exercise-, nature- and socially interactive-based initiatives improve mood and self-esteem in the clinical population
Parks and Other Green Environments: Essential Components of a Healthy Human Habitat
Parks and Other Green Environments: Essential Components of a Healthy Human Habitat
Student performance and high school landscapes: Examining the links
Student performance and high school landscapes: Examining the links
Do the health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks?
Do the health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks?
What is the best dose of nature and green exercise for improving mental health? A multi-study analysis
What is the best dose of nature and green exercise for improving mental health? A multi-study analysis
Forest experience and psychological health benefits: the state of the art and future prospect in Korea
Forest experience and psychological health benefits: the state of the art and future prospect in Korea
Morbidity is related to a green living environment
Morbidity is related to a green living environment
Children with attention deficits concentrate better after walk in the park
Children with attention deficits concentrate better after walk in the park
Effect of phytoncide from trees on human natural killer cell function
Effect of phytoncide from trees on human natural killer cell function
The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature
The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature
Associations of neighbourhood greenness with physical and mental health: Do walking, social coherence and local social interaction explain the relationships?
Associations of neighbourhood greenness with physical and mental health: Do walking, social coherence and local social interaction explain the relationships?
Health, healing and recovery: Therapeutic landscapes and the everyday lives of breast cancer survivors
Health, healing and recovery: Therapeutic landscapes and the everyday lives of breast cancer survivors
The effect of live plants and window views of green spaces on employee perceptions of job satisfaction
The effect of live plants and window views of green spaces on employee perceptions of job satisfaction
An environmental intervention to restore attention in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer
An environmental intervention to restore attention in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer
The natural environment as a playground for children: The impact of outdoor play activities in pre-primary school children
The natural environment as a playground for children: The impact of outdoor play activities in pre-primary school children
Physician disclosure of healthy personal behaviors improves credibility and ability to motivate
Physician disclosure of healthy personal behaviors improves credibility and ability to motivate
The Green Prescription Study: A randomized controlled trial of written exercise advice provided by general practitioners
The Green Prescription Study: A randomized controlled trial of written exercise advice provided by general practitioners
Shinrin-yoku (forest-air bathing and walking) effectively decreases blood glucose levels in diabetic patients
Shinrin-yoku (forest-air bathing and walking) effectively decreases blood glucose levels in diabetic patients
The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework
The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework
Exposure to green spaces, cardiovascular risk biomarkers and incident cardiovascular disease in older adults: The Seniors-Enrica II cohort
Exposure to green spaces, cardiovascular risk biomarkers and incident cardiovascular disease in older adults: The Seniors-Enrica II cohort
Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments
Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments
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