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"If I would write a prescription, which would help to recover from stress, to lift spirits, encourage to be more active and support wellbeing, I would prescribe time spent in nature for many of us’, tells health centre doctor Teemu Zetterman. "Spending time and being active in nature promotes good health and acts as a complementary treatment, particularly for mental health problems, but also, for example, in treatment of cardiovascular diseases.” Already being out in the nature and observing it helps to lower your heart rate and blood pressure, whilst you are also taking steps. Nature prescription is a valuable extra in the health care´s toolbox.
"If I would write a prescription, which would help to recover from stress, to lift spirits, encourage to be more active and support wellbeing, I would prescribe time spent in nature for many of us’, tells health centre doctor Teemu Zetterman.
"Spending time and being active in nature promotes good health and acts as a complementary treatment, particularly for mental health problems, but also, for example, in treatment of cardiovascular diseases.” Already being out in the nature and observing it helps to lower your heart rate and blood pressure, whilst you are also taking steps. Nature prescription is a valuable extra in the health care´s toolbox.
Health centre doctor Teemu Zetterman, who works at Myyrmäki health centre, says he is a keen berry-picker and birdwatcher.
Berries and mushrooms are ripening in the forests, the air is becoming fresher, and the landscapes are changing colour. The autumn is a perfect time to try, what kind of affects being out in the nature has for you and your wellbeing.
Being out in the nature is an easy way to increase wellbeing and promote health. You can go out in the nature without any special equipment, an appointment and previous experience. With guided trips and events, you can find new nature sites, learn new things about plants and animals and you can share the experience with others.
Natures health benefits can be seen both in the mind as in the body: even a short moment in a green environment can have a calming effect and lower the threshold to exercise.
According to research, spending time and being in nature can reduce stress, improve mood, support concentration and increase physical activity in everyday life. Going out and spending time in the nature helps to prevent illnesses, as nature encourages to everyday physical activity, helps in weight control and can help to reduce the risk, for example, of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and the risk of depression. Nature strengthens the body’s defence system and supports overall functioning.
Children’s contact with nature can support the development of the immune system and motorial skills, concentration, creativity and emotional wellbeing. Furthermore, it prevents illnesses and allergies.
So, the wellbeing benefits of nature would be accessible to even more residents, the wellbeing services county of Vantaa and Kerava has in collaboration with local nature experts, put together a nature prescription. It offers easy tips on how nature can be used as a support of your own wellbeing.
The idea behind the nature prescription is to encourage people to find ways to spend in the nature that suites themselves.
Would you try for example one of the following this week:
Read the nature prescription and choose 3–5 things from it, that you want to try to support your wellbeing during the following months. In the prescription you can find ideas for both simple nature moments as for exercising, going hiking, doing things together and actions for nature.
Print och download the nature prescription here: