Your Doctor has recommended Nature Therapy:
Name_____________________________ Date________
Rx: Nature
Sig: Take one walk in nature 30 minutes to 1 hour daily 5 days per week
Refills: Unlimited
X_________________________________________
Known Benefits of Nature Therapy, or Forest Bathing, on Health
- Reduce blood pressure and resting heart rate
- Improve diabetes management, lower glucoses and lower A1c
- Reduce stress hormones and increase relaxation
- Reduce Stress, anxiety and depression
- Improve sleeping
- Boost the immune system
- Increase oxygen and blood supply to brain, increasing creativity
Ways to Start Nature Therapy
- Take a timed walk most days in a nearby park for 10-15 minutes and increase time as conditioning improves
- Sit down on a park bench or tree stump, close your eyes and focus on your breathing as you hear the sounds of nature
- Perform slow gentle stretches on your limb girdles (hips and shoulders) or simple yoga poses (sun salutation and mountain pose)
- Visit various parks nearby where you live to get a flavor of different scenery, flora and landscapes.
What to bring
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes, preferably with good ankle support
- Walking stick or cane for additional support, if you have significant arthritis or nerve issues.
- A small sheet for sitting on the forest ground
- A small bag with a bottle or two of water and a few healthy snacks
- Optional: A walking partner or a dog
- An open and clear mind: Your phone turned off or in silence mode.
- Your curiosity: Be ready to enjoy the moment and interact in the outdoors.
Categories: Other Health and Wellness Topics, Patient Education
Hey , CHRISTOPHER CIRINO , i have read all your blog tehy are so good and very informatiive , please suggest me any treatments for chronic pain?
Pain is a subjective experience, which can be heightened or reduced by our state. With a state of stress , one may experience the pain as more acute.
There are many treatment options for pain, dependent on what is the source of it. If you can **identify and mitigate the source, the benefit is greater.
1). General stress management – ensure that you are coping properly / ensure that you are taking time each day to exercise or walk / stretches
2). Sleep – ensuring your sleep is sufficient and effective – sleep apnea can sometimes be a trigger.
3). Development – skills and hobbies e.g. art, can help take the mind off of the pain
4). Diet. Avoid foods that can set off inflammation, like processed foods and sugar.
4). Pharmacology – for the most part topical is usually as good as by mouth. No opiates – they often intensify pain and have dependence risks. Gabapentin has been used for neuropathic pain. Ibuprofen may be a good option for inflammatory pain. Take
these infrequently.
I’ll post a larger response as a blog in near future
Pass along the value of this blog by sharing it with your contacts. Thanks !