Thousands of Providers Issue Nature Prescriptions for Stress Relief Across US

Health care providers in the United States are increasingly prescribing time outdoors as a way to combat stress and improve overall health, especially amid social and political turmoil. Spending time in nature has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, and boost immunity, with scientific studies supporting these benefits. Doctors like Suzanne Hackenmiller and Brent Bauer emphasize that formal prescriptions help patients take the advice seriously and feel permitted to engage in outdoor activities. The movement, gaining momentum over the past decade, has been supported by initiatives such as Park Rx America, founded by Dr. Robert Zarr, which provides protocols for healthcare providers to encourage nature outings tailored to individual preferences. These nature prescriptions serve as a complement to conventional medicine, promoting holistic health benefits alongside practices like meditation and acupuncture. While the idea of going outside is simple, formalizing it as a prescription aims to improve follow-through and patient outcomes.