Nature Prescriptions
Dose of Nature Prescriptions
What is a Dose of Nature prescription?
A Dose of Nature prescription is an eight-week programme that introduces individuals to the mental health benefits of spending time in nature. It aims to inspire lifestyle changes that will have a significant and lasting impact on mental wellbeing. This is achieved through a combination of education, first-hand experience and practical and motivational support, led by a trained Dose of Nature Guide.
What does it involve?
After a GP referral, clients meet with a Dose of Nature psychologist, who discusses their individual needs and explains more about the programme and the mental health benefits of being in nature. The clients are matched with a trained volunteer, a 'Dose of Nature Guide'.
Over a period of eight weeks, our clients meet their Dose of Nature Guide in a natural space once a week and visit nature independently every day. Together they plan where and when they will spend time in natural environments. During their weekly meetings in nature, the Guide demonstrates to the client a variety of exercises and activities, encouraging them to engage all their senses in order to gain maximum health benefits from their time in nature.
Alongside one-to-one contact with the Dose of Nature Guide, clients are also given the opportunity to link with other people in receipt of a nature prescription, and to make independent arrangements to meet for walks or to visit natural environments together. This is an optional, additional element of our Dose of Nature prescription that many people find a highly effective way of ensuring they continue to spend time in nature once the ten-week programme has been completed.
What isn't it?
Whilst we hope that the recipient of a Dose of Nature prescription will find their experience both therapeutic and educational, it is not therapy and it is not a guided nature walk. Dose of Nature Guides are neither therapists nor nature experts. However, they are empathic, experienced individuals, with specific training in supporting people to improve their mental wellbeing by engaging with the natural world.
Who is it for?
• Anyone who feels low, depressed or anxious
• Anyone who feels stuck in negative patterns of behaviour and wants to make significant changes to their life
• Anyone experiencing difficulties sleeping
• Anyone who has suffered trauma in their life
• Anyone with symptoms associated with a diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
You don’t need to have access to forests or rolling hills: the psychological benefits of being in nature can be experienced in any natural green space, such as a local park, riverside tow path or city garden.
You don’t need to be physically active: although there are additional health benefits of the increased activity that is often a by-product of regular visits to natural environments, simply being in nature and engaging with it in a mindful way can have a positive impact on mental wellbeing.
What does it do?
There is a huge body of scientific research demonstrating that exposure to nature can significantly improve mental health and wellbeing. See Research Studies
for a more detailed account of the evidence, and The Science, for explanations as to why nature is so beneficial and how it achieves these positive effects on humans.
Studies conducted over a period of forty years have shown that time spent engaging with natural environments can:
• reduce depression
• reduce anxiety
• reduce stress
• reduce mental fatigue
• reduce anger and aggression
• improve mood
• improve sleep
• improve cognitive functioning
• improve creativity
• boost immune functioning
• increase longevity
• increase energy
• increase sense of gratitude, generosity and selflessness
• reduce symptoms associated with ADHD, trauma and addiction
• improve quality of life for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia
• increase sense of wonder and awe
How do I obtain a Dose of Nature prescription?
It’s very easy to get a Dose of Nature prescription, you can be referred by your GP or any other health professional. We are currently operating in the borough of Richmond. Ask your GP for a referral, and if they haven't heard of Dose of Nature, get in contact with us - info@doseofnature.org.uk
- and we'll contact the surgery.
Before making any commitment, you will first meet with a Dose of Nature psychologist, who will discuss the programme in more detail with you and answer any questions. If you decide that the eight-week Dose of Nature prescription could be helpful to you, you will be contacted by a Dose of Nature Guide, who will arrange an initial meeting to plan your individual timetable.