Green prescriptions could undermine the benefits of spending time in nature

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/uoe-gpc110420.php

 

News Release 6-Nov-2020
University of Exeter

 

Spending time in nature is believed to benefit people's mental health. However, new research suggests that giving people with existing mental health conditions formal 'green prescriptions', may undermine some of the benefits.

An international research team led by the University of Exeter and published in the journal Scientific Reports, investigated whether contact with nature has the potential to help people with mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, to manage their symptoms. They found that nature is associated with a number of benefits for these individuals, but only if they chose to visit these places themselves.


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