Doctors in Canada are issuing National Park annual passes as medical prescriptions to promote nature therapy and patient wellness.
Discover the benefits of spending time in nature with the Greatist Guide to the Great Outdoors. This resource offers numerous ways to take advantage of the natural world and its healing properties.
The concept of Parks Prescriptions, a grassroots movement originating in the United States, has gained momentum and spread worldwide. One of the key organisations driving this movement is Park RX America, published by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF).
In the US, there are approximately 71 nature health programs operating across 32 states. These programs aim to promote the physical and mental health benefits of spending time in nature. Some of these benefits include reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, boosting immune system and recovery, increasing feelings of happiness, calming racing thoughts, promoting connection with others, and improving self-esteem.
On January 31, Parks Canada announced its participation in the national nature prescription program, PaRx. This program offers a national park annual pass, called the Parks Canada Discovery Pass, for $57 ($72 CAD) per adult. Doctors who prescribe these passes are encouraged to prioritise patients who live near national parks and patients who may have trouble affording them.
Dr. Melissa Lem, a family physician and PaRx director, recommends patients spend at least 2 hours a week in nature and at least 20 minutes each time. She believes in the transformative power of nature and its role in overall wellness.
As more and more Parks Prescription programs continue to pop up near and far, it's clear that the benefits of nature are no longer a secret. Even without an annual pass, you can start a healthy outdoors habit, as there's likely cost-free nature real estate near your front door.
PaRx is part of a global network of Parks Prescription initiatives promoting health development through connection to nature. This movement is utilising limited research on the subject to build on a form of holistic wellness, offering a promising future for those seeking a healthier, happier life.
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