Nature as Medicine with Dr. Barbara Walker

Research has shown that spending time in nature offers numerous health benefits. Being surrounded by nature can help reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, enhance immune system function, and boost self-esteem and mood. People living with chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, depression, and anxiety, as well as those pre- and post-surgery, have been shown to have improved health outcomes when spending time in nature. Thanks to an emerging collaboration with Cincinnati Parks Foundation and the Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Cincinnati, a trip to the park may be a part of your next prescription for wellness, a first-ever partnership between an academic hospital and a nationally ranked park system. Cincinnati Parks for Wellness, a collaboration between the Osher Center, the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, and the Cincinnati Parks to provide health and wellness education, movement and mindfulness therapies, and opportunities for social connection and healing in the Cincinnati Parks. The program is designed to reduce barriers to healthcare by providing education and special programs within parks in prioritized neighborhoods. Thanks to grants provided by Cincinnati Parks Foundation and input from community members, free health and wellness classes and events within Cincinnati Parks will make park “prescriptions” available to everyone. These wellness programs will be tailored to each neighborhood and focused on local partners. Health care providers at the University of Cincinnati will be able to prescribe time in Cincinnati Parks, making it the first academic hospital to have nature prescribed as a modality.  Learn More | https://bit.ly/Nature_Medicine