Nature as Medicine Patient Resources 

The Osher Center offers Nature Prescriptions for interested patients as well as ongoing Nature as Medicine resources and support.

How to get a Nature Prescription:

• Tell your UC Health provider that you are interested in a Nature Prescription
• Self-refer by contacting Dava Leonard by phone 513-245-3011 or email at dava.leonard@uchealth.com

Welcome! To get started, please watch this Nature Rx Welcome Video from Barbara Walker, PhD, Clinical Director, Nature as Medicine Program.

Why Nature as Medicine?

Research has shown that spending time in nature offers numerous health benefits. Being surrounded by nature can help reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, enhance immune system function, and boost self-esteem and mood. People living with chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, depression, and anxiety, as well as those pre- and post-surgery, have been shown to have improved health outcomes when spending time in nature. Read more: UC News: The Healing Power of Nature 

Join us once a week for a walk on a paved path through Burnet Woods. Together, we’ll take in beautiful views and fresh air! The first Monday of each month, the Osher Center will lead the walk and share more about the health benefits of walking and time in nature.

The Details:

• When: Every Monday from 12:15-12:45 p.m.
• Where: Meet at the Clifton Branch Library (3400 Brookline Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45220) front porch
• This program is weather-permitting, and walks will last approximately 30 minutes.
• All bodies and abilities are welcome.
• No registration required.

Nature as Medicine Monthly Meetup

Please join Dr. Barbara Walker, Clinical Director of the Nature as Medicine Program, for a monthly virtual meetup to learn about the Nature as Medicine program, how to write your own personalized nature prescription that will work for you, evidence-based nature as medicine education and tips, and upcoming wellness events and classes that will help you meet your nature prescription goals.

Date: the first Thursday of each month from noon-12:45 p.m. (beginning November 7, 2024)

Where: virtual via teams - Join the meeting now | Meeting ID: 214 569 641 151. Passcode: rM6Xya

How to Write Your Own Nature Prescription 

Write your own prescription through Park Rx America

• Place: Where do you feel safe and comfortable outside?
• Activity: What do you enjoy and can commit to doing outside?
• Frequency: How many days per week and for how long?

Tips for Incorporating Nature into Your Routine

1. Schedule regular "nature breaks" throughout your day, even for 10 minutes at a time.
2. Bring greenery or images of natural spaces into your home and office, both of which have been shown to lower stress according to studies.
3. Try “green exercise” — moving your workout outdoors provides benefits. A recent study found that a short, leafy stroll improves working memory and concentration substantially more than completing the same brief walk inside.
4. Turn a regular meeting into a walking meeting outdoors.
5. Eat a meal outside in nature (turn any meal into a fun picnic).
6. Try a no-cost Cincinnati Parks Foundation wellness program such as yoga, forest bathing or meditation.

Read more: UC News: The Healing Power of Nature 

Video Resources

Nature & Lifestyle Medicine

There are 6 Official Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, and now mounting evidence supports Nature As Medicine as The 7th (Unofficial) Pillar of Lifestyle Medicine.

The Osher Center offers lifestyle medicine consultations, covered by insurance like any other visit with your provider, you will initially meet with your physician or nurse practitioner for one hour. They will learn about your personal, medical and family history; your dietary, exercise and sleep habits; your sources of stress and coping mechanisms, and then will assess your health concerns and evaluate your symptoms, order any necessary tests and create mutually agreed upon lifestyle prescriptions.

Our goal is to work with you to create a personalized self-care plan that you can implement and sustain with your lifestyle. To schedule a consultation, call 513-475-9567.

Community Resources