A large study from the British government shows nature heals.
We’re all part of nature. Returning to it is one of the most powerful things we can do for both our mental and physical well-being. The British government’s recent initiative beautifully demonstrates this truth.
While reading the UK-based National Centre for Integrative Medicine’s blog, I came across a fascinating article in The Guardian, titled “‘Better than medication’: prescribing nature works, project shows.”
Walks, community gardening, tree planting…
This article details a groundbreaking government-supported program—perhaps the largest of its kind worldwide. Over 8,000 people across England took part, and the results are remarkable.
Participants who engaged in nature-based activities like walks, community gardening, tree planting, and wild swimming experienced significant improvements in mental health. One participant, managing trauma-related mental health challenges, shared, “It works better than medication for me. It works better than Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for me. I have my counseling, and that is really valuable, but this is on a par with that.”
So, as the weather cools, don’t let that keep you indoors. Step outside. Take a walk, do yoga, observe the birds, tend a garden—whatever resonates with you. Nature is here to help.