S5 Episode 02: Nature Therapy
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Physical therapist Dr. Allison Mitch discusses health benefits of spending time in nature for both adults and children.
This episode is part of Series 5: Nature and Health. For a list of ParkTalk episodes and series visit https://www.napervilleparks.org/PODCASTS.
Quote from the episode:
"Research coming out of the public health domain suggests that zip code is more important than genetic code, so that should give you a sense of how profoundly connected human health is to the environment.” - Dr. Allison Mitch
For more information:
View a video, "A Healthy Dose of Nature," that features nature prescriptions and the health benefits of walking in the woods or spending time out in nature: https://interactive.wttw.com/urbannature/healthy-dose-nature#!/
New research shows connection between green space and cardiovascular health:
https://psmag.com/environment/being-in-nature-makes-your-heart-healthier
Allison’s blog: http://wildwomaninthesuburbs.com/what-is-nature-therapy/
Suggested books:
Last Child in the Woods. Richard Louv
Vitamin N. Richard Louv
How to Raise a Wild Child. Scott Sampson
Balanced and Barefoot. Angela Hanscom
The Nature Fix. Florence Williams
Ideas for how and where to spend time in nature in the western suburbs of Chicago:
Photo from Aug. 2018 Rx for Nature Festival at Knoch Knolls Nature Center
- Naperville Park District - Nature hikes, family fishing days, trails and fitness stations, outdoor fitness classes, nature preschool, nature camps, other nature programs
- Knoch Knolls Nature Center – Naperville Park District's center for environmental education located at beautiful Knoch Knolls Park
- Wild Women Project Circles – Resiliency Institute, Naperville
- Forest bathing and outdoor yoga – Resiliency Institute, Naperville
- Aerial yoga and forest bathing – Morton Arboretum
- Free Forest School
- Family Nature Club
- https://www.childrenandnature.org/
- Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
- Forest Preserve District of Will County
