A Growing Medical Trend
More doctors across the U.S. are writing actual prescriptions for something that doesn’t come in a pill bottle — time outdoors. Once informal advice, “go outside and get some fresh air” is now being formalized as part of wellness plans to combat stress, anxiety, and burnout in an increasingly tense world.
Dr. Suzanne Hackenmiller, a gynecologist in Waterloo, Iowa, began prescribing nature time after finding personal healing in the outdoors following her husband’s death.
“When I bring it up, it’s almost like granting permission to do something they may see as frivolous,” she told The Associated Press.
The Science Behind Nature’s Healing Power
Research shows that spending time outside can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, and even boost immunity.
“Study after study says we’re wired to be out in nature,” said Dr. Brent Bauer of the Mayo Clinic, who directs the hospital’s integrative medicine program. “That’s more than just ‘woo-woo.’ There’s actual science.”
Prescriptions for Parks
To help standardize the practice, Dr. Robert Zarr founded Park Rx America in 2016. The nonprofit provides doctors with protocols for writing “nature prescriptions,” including how often to go outside and where. Nearly 2,000 providers across several countries have registered, issuing more than 7,000 prescriptions since 2019.
Motivating Patients to Step Outside
Bauer, who often treats business executives, says a written prescription helps motivate people who might otherwise ignore the advice.
“When I get a prescription, I’m a lot more likely to activate that,” he said.
For Hackenmiller, encouraging patients to disconnect from media and connect with nature has become especially relevant. “When so many things are out of our control, it can be helpful to step away from the media and immerse ourselves in nature,” she said.
Campus Programs Encourage Nature Breaks
At William & Mary in Virginia, students issue nature prescriptions to peers through an online platform. Participation has nearly doubled since 2020, with students like senior Kelsey Wakiyama rediscovering balance through local trails.
“When you’re sitting inside for hours, the fresh air feels very nice,” she said. “It calms my nervous system.”
Just Go Outside
While more research is needed to measure long-term health effects, doctors agree that the act of stepping outdoors — whether to hike, sit under a tree, or simply breathe — is medicine in itself.
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