An overuse of screen time and a lack of green time. That’s what a team in the Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences has diagnosed and is treating with RxPLORE: Prescriptions to Promote Life Outdoors and Real Exploration.
“The problem is a nature deficit disorder,” said Vicki Brooks, assistant professor of professional practice, using a phrase coined by author Richard Louv. “Current trends of physical inactivity among children and families indicate less time spent outdoors with less exposure to nature.”
Photo by Vicki Brooks
She said long-term implications include mental health problems, and research is indicating that we need more time in nature.
“This is based on theoretical models of attention restoration and stress reduction, confirming the benefits of nature by improving mood, cognition, attention, memory and reduced stress,” Brooks said.
She has teamed up with Gina Alexander, associate professor of nursing, and Harris undergraduate and graduate students to begin efforts to trademark RxPLORE and form community partnerships.
So far, they have joined forces with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Fort Worth Parks and Recreation, and they held their first event in October at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. They dispensed 64 family nature prescriptions.
“The public seems receptive to the idea of being outdoors, disconnecting from technology and deliberately connecting with nature for health benefits,” said Alexander. “In a very practical sense, everyone needs a dose of nature. The benefits outweigh the risks for this very sensible prescription.”
She said their team is currently developing a longitudinal pilot intervention to measure effects over time.
“This project is preparing our students professionally through tangible opportunities in the community setting for primary care and wellness, moving beyond pharmaceuticals and traditional medical treatment to an awareness of integrative, holistic health promotion and healing,” Alexander said.
The project emerged, she said, from a firsthand experience of the health benefits of being in nature.
“The heart of this project is the aim to promote the health of our community and our environment,” Alexander said. “At the forefront are the values of public health and primary care: prevention and restorative practices. These values intersect with the core values of Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences and further the mission of TCU.”
Next up: Meeting people outdoors once again and prescribing more nature at the Fort Worth Zoo Run and Mayfest.
“Amidst the ever-growing presence of technology, increased rates of mental illness and heavy reliance on pharmaceuticals for mental health treatment, we want to promote health in a very simple way,” Alexander said. “We desire for more people to connect with the natural world and inspire them to champion the values of conservation as they experience the benefits of immersion in nature.”