Nature as therapy

Green exercise and nature therapy have been hitting the news lately. Increasingly you’ll see them referred to in public health policy in the UK.

The healing power of nature isn’t new - the ancient Greeks had over 400 temples for outdoor healing. But, in our increasingly busy, urbanised lives do we really understand the value of nature? How can we show that nature is a good and effective therapy for all sorts of people in all kinds of contexts? Can it and will it replace some uses of pharmaceutical drugs?

In the latest episode of the Louder Than Words Podcast, Jules Pretty and Martha Dixon will explore how University of Essex academics are providing the evidence to help in the better use of what we might call the natural health service. They will also speak to people putting these insights into action and transforming lives.

They will be joined by:

Nick Cooper from the Department of Psychology discussing how research on outdoor activities such as angling has led to a European-wide initiative to support mental health.

Jo Barton from the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences at Essex talking about how Government policy on nature therapy can help young people from an early age and prevent problems in the future.

Jo Roberts from the Wilderness Foundation explaining how the charity takes troubled youngsters and takes them out into nature.

Matt King, from independent health and wellbeing charity Trust Links, describing how Trust Links uses gardening and the outdoors to support people in their journey to recovery and wellbeing.