Prescribing Nature for Mental Health
Have you heard about the Parks Prescription (PaRx) program launched by the BC
Parks Foundation? Basically, it allows any licensed health professional in Canada to give out nature prescriptions to patients, providing them access to a conservation area of their choosing, for free (Carreño Rosas, 2025)! The number of free visits can vary (Carreño Rosas, 2025).
It’s a fabulous idea that’s based on a lot of accumulated evidence that being in nature can positively affect our mental health, for example by lowering stress levels, increasing happiness and mood, and improving concentration scores in kids with ADHD (Parx: A prescription for nature).
Exposure to nature has also been associated with better memory and cognitive
function, greater subjective well-being and a sense of purpose in life, improved
attention, positive social interactions, a lower risk of psychiatric disorders, lower mental distress and even increased empathy and cooperation among individuals (Weir, 2025).
What counts as “nature”?
This may sound like a silly question, but it’s important to consider that nature isn’t limited to remote wilderness or national parks (Richardson). Urban green spaces, gardens, waterfronts, tree-lined streets and even animals count (Richardson). We can experience nature in many ways, like spending time outside, having plants indoors, or enjoying nature pictures and sounds (“Psychology works” fact sheet: Benefits of Nature Exposure – Canadian Psychological Association 2024).
But the biggest benefits come from being outdoors in nature, and especially from “high quality” natural spaces with greater biodiversity (having a wide variety of plants and wildlife) or more “green” and “serene” landscapes that have a calming effect (Richardson; “Psychology works” fact sheet: Benefits of Nature Exposure – Canadian Psychological Association 2024). Even cleanliness(i.e., not having any litter) has been linked to lower rates of depression (Richardson).
I came across a fascinating study which found that living in neighbourhoods with a
greater diversity of birds was associated with higher self-rated mental health
(Dangerfield, 2024). What’s noteworthy is that this increase was seen even when
other factors like socioeconomic status were considered (Dangerfield, 2024).
To benefit the most, we must also feel connected to nature, which means having a
sense of attachment or a close relationship to it (Richardson). The Mental Health
Foundation UK emphasizes that quality matters: a deeper, more mindful connection to nature provides greater psychological relief than passive exposure (Richardson).
How much time in nature do I need to feel the benefits?
One research study (White et al., 2019) which included a representative sample of nearly 20,000 adults across the U.K., showed that spending at least two recreational hours in nature was linked to significantly higher reported health and well-being (Weir, 2025). This finding held across sub-groups, such as older adults and people with chronic health problems, and whether their exposure was in a single 120-minute session or spread out over the course of the week (Weir, 2025).
Other research indicates that even brief exposure to nature, ranging from 1 to 10 minutes, can enhance attention (Yaipimol et al., 2022), lower stress levels (Meredith et al., 2020), and uplift mood (Neill et al., 2019) (“Psychology works” fact sheet: Benefits of Nature Exposure – Canadian Psychological Association 2024).
Nature Deficit Disorder
While not a clinical diagnosis, Nature-Deficit Disorder®, coined by Richard Louv, helped to highlight how people are becoming disconnected from nature which is linked to
issues like less focus, higher stress, and poorer health (2019). Modern changes like
more screen time, fewer green spaces, and busier streets make it harder to spend time
outdoors (Louv, 2019). Since Last Child in the Woods was published, Louv has
launched initiatives like the Children & Nature Network to support global efforts to
prioritize nature in daily life and education (2019).
Unfortunately, not everyone has equal access to green spaces. Systemic barriers, such as urban design, socioeconomic factors, and safety concerns, prevent marginalized communities from experiencing these benefits (Richardson). The Canadian Psychological Association stresses the importance of advocating for more inclusive, safe, and accessible natural spaces (“Psychology works” fact sheet: Benefits of Nature Exposure – Canadian Psychological Association 2024).
Closing thoughts
The idea that nature provides countless psychological and physical benefits is far from new, yet modern Western society has not fully profited from this knowledge. Initiatives like the PaRx program offer optimism.
Every day, I find myself drawn to reconnect with nature—whether it’s walking my dog, seeking out my favorite bird, the red cardinal, or nurturing the many plants that fill my home. I can fully attest to nature’s healing power. Recently, I applied to the PaRx program in the hope of helping others experience the abundant benefits that nature so generously offers.
References:
Canadian Psychological Association. (2024, November 27). “Psychology works” fact
sheet: Benefits of Nature Exposure – Canadian Psychological Association. Canadian
Psychological Association – The national voice for psychology in Canada.
https://cpa.ca/psychology-works-fact-sheet-benefits-of-nature-exposure/
Carreño Rosas, A. (2025, January 4). Want to get a prescription for Nature Access in Canada? here’s how it works. CBC News.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/nature-prescription-how-to-get-one-
1.7421810
Dangerfield, K. (2024, July 2). Live in a city? A chirpy, greener area might make you
happier: study. Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/10599486/canadian-city-
dwellers-birds-trees-study/
Louv, R. (2019, October 15). What is Nature-Deficit Disorder? Richard Louv. April 10, 2025, https://richardlouv.com/blog/what-is-nature-deficit-disorder
Parx: A prescription for nature. PaRx: A Prescription for Nature. (n.d.).
https://www.parkprescriptions.ca/
Richardson, M. (Ed.). (n.d.). Nature: How connecting with nature benefits our mental health. Mental Health Foundation. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-
work/research/nature-how-connecting-nature-benefits-our-mental-health
Weir, K. (2025, April 8). Nurtured by nature. Monitor on Psychology, 51(3), 50.
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