Prescribing Nature: A Pathway to Improved Happiness and Reduced Anxiety, Study Finds
A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of Exeter has found that "prescribing" nature can significantly improve happiness and reduce anxiety for people with mental health needs. The study's findings highlight the potential of green social prescribing—an approach where individuals are encouraged to engage in nature-based activities to support mental well-being.
The Study and Its Participants
The study involved 8,339 participants across England who had been identified as having mental health needs. These participants engaged in a variety of nature-based activities such as conservation, horticulture, gardening, and outdoor exercise at seven project test pilots. Green social prescribing allows healthcare professionals, such as GPs or social workers, to refer patients to activities in natural environments as part of their mental health treatment.
In addition to conservation and gardening, the activities prescribed as part of the study included outdoor talking therapies, care farming, and various sports. These activities were designed to help participants reconnect with nature, build a sense of community, and improve their mental health.
Measuring the Impact: From Anxiety to Calmness
Before engaging in the nature-based activities, participants reported levels of happiness, anxiety, and life satisfaction that were below national averages. However, after participating in these activities, many described feeling "joyful," "happy," and "calm." The positive changes in emotional well-being suggest that interacting with nature can have a profound impact on mental health, especially for those struggling with anxiety and depression.
Professor Ruth Garside, from the European Centre for Environment and Human Health at the University of Exeter, highlighted the significance of the findings. "Green social prescribing is an effective way of supporting people," she noted. "This is just the beginning, and further government investment is now supporting the leadership and systems change that we know green social prescribing needs to be successful."
The Need for Ongoing Support and Investment
The study, conducted in partnership with the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, and the University of Plymouth, was published for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It emphasizes the importance of ongoing commitment from policymakers to understand the needs of diverse communities and enable more people to connect with nature.
Prof. Garside stressed that "there must be an ongoing commitment from
policymakers to understand the needs of communities and enable more diverse people to connect with nature, alongside investment in those organizations that provide nature-based activities." She pointed out that for green social prescribing to reach its full potential, a systems change is necessary—one that integrates nature-based solutions more deeply into healthcare and community support structures.
A Holistic Approach to Mental Health
Green social prescribing represents a holistic approach to mental health care, recognizing that well-being is influenced not only by traditional medical treatments but also by social, environmental, and community factors. By incorporating nature into therapeutic practices, individuals can benefit from the restorative powers of the outdoors, which include physical activity, social interaction, and a break from the stresses of everyday life.
A Green Future for Mental Health Care
The results of the study present a compelling case for the inclusion of nature-based activities as a standard option in mental health care. As the understanding of the connection between nature and mental well-being grows, green social prescribing could become a vital component of a more sustainable, community-focused approach to health.
This research is "just the beginning," as Prof. Garside suggests, paving the way for more innovative strategies that harness the healing power of nature to improve mental health outcomes for diverse populations. Future government policies and investments will be crucial in ensuring that green social prescribing becomes a widespread and accessible option for those in need of mental health support.