Scotland’s Shetland Islands are windswept and rugged, full of wide-open vistas, thousands of squawking migratory birds, awesome rock formations, and winding trails. An epic place for long, lingering walks and time spent decompressing in the joys of raw nature.
It just so happens that doctors are increasingly starting to realize time spent outdoors can be an excellent treatment for chronic health issues. So doctors in the Shetlands are now issuing “nature prescriptions” as part of an initiative to address health issues without drugs if you can imagine that.
For everything from high blood pressure to diabetes, anxiety, and depression, the medical community is learning (though lots of us have always known) that many ailments and diseases can be treated with activities like birdwatching, maybe a little kayaking, perhaps combing a beach for shells, even skipping pebbles across a slow-moving stream. Even just sitting silently in a forest, meditating (see: Japan, forest bathing).
NHS Shetland, the health authority in the Scottish archipelago, has authorized doctors to prescribe brushes with nature not as replacements for traditional health care, at least not exclusively, but as a healthy supplement. The hope is the program will be a success and open others’ eyes in the traditional medical community to such non-traditional and subtle treatments for body and mind.
“We would like this to be picked up by other areas or health boards,” said Helen Moncrieff, a health manager in the Shetland. “There is so much evidence that nature is good for us, and this is a simple way to get people outdoors and experiencing nature in a city or a wilder place like Shetland,” she said.
Hiking, swimming, cycling—just getting outdoors and moving have been shown to have dramatically beneficial health effects, but the nature prescription program also taps into a connection with wilderness as a means to provide an easy kind of self-care.
Authorities have published a seasonal calendar with the help of a bird watching society filled with suggestions to get outside and let nature work its magic.
Appreciate a passing cloud, the programs suggests. Plop down in the grass and make a daisy chain. “Really look at a lichen.” Stare out to the sea and watch for passing whales. On a brisk, windy and rainy day, stand still, close your eyes and let the wind rush past and “feel the exhilaration of wind and rain on your face.”
Connect with the elements, in other words. Feel a part of the natural world, and, well, heal thyself. No billing department necessary.
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Prescriptions for nature are slowly gaining ground the U.S. through the land trust community. I’d encourage anyone interested to reach out to a local land trust and see what they can learn. It’s a fantastic idea!
ever since I returned from my tour of duty in Vietnam I’ve found my medicine in the sonoran desert. I think being outdoors keeps the ugly reality of ptsd from taking root. what it boils down to for me is the outdoors is just one big distraction from what we have created with civilization and other ills, such as war.
Appreciate your words and service Tom, blessings!
Fantastic. Love this initiative (if that is what it is). Get outside.
Subtle but great strides are being made by groups of people all over the world. So refreshing to see a movement toward natural healing.
Yes yes yes More and more studies are coming out and western is medicine finally building it, integrating it into the system. Get back to Nature and feel good.
Saving this!
I ran a massage therapy program for returning active duty soldiers having various medical issues. I’ll never forget the soldier who told me he found his healing in the great outdoors and that he spent many hours in Nature. Nature is healing.
My finalized PhD Dissertation ultimately tells people to ‘go take a hike.’ Combining Jung theory of ‘living in the moment,’ and ‘Nature Deficit Disorder (it is a real disorder) brought the conclusion of people having the need for understanding they are ‘part of nature,’ and not ‘separate’ from nature (aka: not self centered). Getting away from brick and mortar environments with sharp edges and calculated cement. The calm curves of nature sooth. I can go on and on 😀
I would be very interested im reading your PhD. Is there any way to access it somewhere? Thanks!
I too would love to read your dissertation or at least parts of it
Hi Ryan, with much of what is thought to benefit us being anecdotal, it is really good to hear that you are evidencing this. I like those who have commented before would love to know more of what you discovered. I work outdoors and would’ve to incorporate more of this into my everyday work. Can I get access to this or would I have to wait for you to publish your findings.
I’m an 83 year old Scot (mainly) who has been running since 1978. I have run around the Imperial Palace in the smog and along a little green stream near Schruns. I have climbed to Dumbarton Castle and Calton Hill but I have never run in Scotland. How I would like to run in Scotland! or, even better, retrace some of John Buchan’s treks there.
Hershel Parker
From epigentetics, we are shown that the cells in our bodies are influenced by four environmental influences, chemical, heat, light and sound. Reports are not given to the public with any importance as to how noise pollution has short and long term effects on the lessening of our optimal cognitive behavior. Withdrawing the body from such pollution and keeping the body in motion (hiking) will allow the entire central nervous system to re-align and enable conscious choices to re-think priorities and set tasks ahead, even when we go back into the noise polluted environment. From clinical trial data from Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, Harvard School of Medicine, MIT and the Oxford Neurological Institute, we are also give reports of how specific frequencies can and do raise our cognitive abilities. The polluting frequencies (mainly white noise) will only detract from your brains optimal cognitive functionality. Alan Brunton, Founder/CEO Cymatrax www.http://ozoss.com/trax/
Hi I am here in the states, and suffer from depression, thanks for this info about hiking can you send me the story on my email randyarm383@gmail.com also my family is from Scotland last name is Armstrong
thanks for your time
Randy Armstrong
This is true in America also…although I’d rather live in Scotland after visiting the Highlands and Orkney..in 2005…wonderful down to earth people ,also…
I wrote a paper in college for my degree in psychology that reflected this same theory. That was 35 years ago and I’m so glad the universe has completed the circle and brought the concept to reality.
That sounds interesting! I am writing my bachelorthesis for physiotherapy right now. Is it possible to take a look at your paper from 35 years ago? Any Infos Where to find it?
Yes, lovely to see this moving into the medical field. We just recently moved out of the city and into the mountains with land and creek water on the land we are stewards. We offer healing retreats to those open and ready to heal from unwanted energies and embrace their authentic selves. Energy Is Everything EIE Dot Com
In 2012, in my mid thirties and following the end of a long term relationship that I’d expected to last forever, I reached the lowest point of a three year battle with crushing depression and near-constant insomnia. My GP merrily refused to give me sleeping tablets and never even suggested anti-depressants but was more than happy to sign me off work for two months. I took the chance to travel solo for the first time and in Asia for the first time, arriving in Kathmandu at 3am after a nightmarish journey. I spent the following six weeks walking with complete strangers in breathtaking mountain scenery, trusting people, challenging myself, and exploring the inside of myself almost by the by as I trekked up to previously unimagined altitudes through what, to me, were previously unheard of mountains – a journey of such enormity that by the end it I spontaneously realised that I was allowed to be happy again, whilst sitting calmly by myself outside a deserted teahouse in a Himalayan forest, watching Griffon Vultures circling like majestic barn doors above me. Such a healing time. I arrived back in the UK a completely different person. Yes to hiking therapy!!
Indeed the great outdoors is healing. I was fortunate to be in Scotland recently, wish I had more time there. But even getting out and walking in less beaucolic settings is therapeutic. There is much evidence to show, including my own experience, that it is the placing of our attention outside of ourselves, and into the environment, which is the key therapeutic element. The beauty of nature certainly helps, but one can even do this in a city, hopefully in a more quiet area. What used to be called a “daily constitutional” was simply going out for a peaceful walk, and observing environment. I make a habit of doing this regularly, and it is amazing how it can open the mind and spirit while energizing the body.
Recreational Therapists have been prescribing hikes for years.
I totally agree with the content but the article is about Shetland and yet the photo is of Skye !!!!
Amazing. I always tell my husband “nature is healing” or “God provides nature so we can heal our spirits” but it heals us physically as well. Awesome and interesting information.
Would love to read your thesis.
Once we get them out once, it will change them for a lifetime. Keep pushing the outdoors!
I spent years battling depression. I left a stressful career and after following my intuition down a path through a series of outdoor jobs, I discovered hiking. I began working with people in a weight loss program as a hiking guide and I knew I had found my calling. I now own and operate a hiking themed outdoor adventure company and look forward to bringing joy to others through hiking and being outside.
Hello TJ! My name is Christina. I like your response to the hiking article! I have loved hiking for as long as I can remember and I am always aware of my nutrition and healthy habits. I am currently a stay-at -mom, but am thinking about going back to work. Would you be willing to share how you started and how you operate as a hiking guide to help people stay healthy? I am so interested in this type of a working life! I leave in southern Ontario, near the Bruce trail! Cheers!
Amen to every idea in this article. BTW, though the author uses the Shetlands as a hook, the photo is clearly the trail to the Fairy Ponds on the Isle of Skye.
Give it a try, you wont regret it!
This is indeed true.
Fantastic article, the Scottish are very lucky! Sadly not the case if one has to worry about being mugged, robbed or even killed while hiking, if one is constantly stressing about who or how many may be behind the next bush, or what caused the sound of breaking twigs.
I am a marriage and family therapist in Southern California and I have been specializing in therapy while hiking for almost 20 years and mountain biking for 10. I have the best job and reading this article reinforces my commitment to doing things my style. I love helping people and being outside while doing so, is so fantastic. I have found great success for those suffering with depression, anxiety, marital issues and it has been particularly good for teens. Thank you for providing the space for comments.