Nature is Nurture-Harnessing The Therapeutic Power of the Great Outdoors-View Presentation

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar hosted by the Lifestyle Psychiatry Caucus of the American Psychiatric Association featured Dr. Melissa Zunderman, a double board-certified physician in internal and lifestyle medicine, known as Dr. Outdoors. Dr. Zunderman emphasized the health benefits of nature, advocating for daily exposure as a critical aspect of lifestyle medicine. Her talk highlighted principles of "nature as medicine," exploring how forest environments can reduce stress and enhance immune function through exposure to phytoncides—organic compounds from plants. Dr. Zunderman referenced studies showing that time spent in nature can positively influence mental health and emphasized the importance of nature in fostering longevity and reducing chronic diseases.<br /><br />She suggested a "nature dose" of 20 minutes per day or 120 minutes per week to support well-being and discussed various ways to integrate nature exposure into daily life, encouraging a focus on activities enjoyed by individuals to ensure sustainability. The session covered existing evidence around the benefits of both green (forests) and blue (water bodies) spaces and included practical advice on prescribing nature to patients, integrating these concepts into patient care.<br /><br />The webinar concluded by encouraging clinicians to think about prescribing nature and promoting lifestyle changes collaboratively with their patients. The presentation aimed to expand the understanding of connectedness beyond social relationships to include connection with nature and surrounding environments as essential for mental and physical health. Dr. Zunderman's evidence-based approach aimed to inspire clinicians to incorporate these practices into their own lives and in their care for patients.

Keywords

Lifestyle Psychiatry

American Psychiatric Association

Dr. Melissa Zunderman

nature as medicine

phytoncides

mental health

nature exposure

green and blue spaces

prescribing nature

lifestyle medicine