Why nature? Why now?

There are several good reasons to use nature as a resource for wellness. Evidence now points to benefits for physical health (e.g., lower prevalence of high blood pressure and allergies), mental health (e.g., lower prevalence of depression and anxiety) and social well-being outcomes for people who spend time in nature. Our minds and bodies seem to automatically respond positively to the tranquil scenery of trees and wildlife. Some studies have shown improvements in mood, while others improvement in memory after a walk in nature, as compared to a walk in a busy urban environment. Science is proving what some people have always known intuitively: nature heals. Why now? Because stress is literally killing us. The so-called, "deaths of despair" (drug overdoses, suicides and alcoholism) are claiming more lives than ever before. Finding healthier, more adaptive ways to deal with our stressful lives, is key. Stepping away from the stress, and surrounding ourselves with nature, helps us deal with it in more productive ways.