Health care professionals need all the tools they can get when trying to boost people’s immune systems, positive emotions, and parasympathetic nervous system activity while decreasing negative emotions and the experience of pain. While it is not typically the first tool we reach for, most of us intuitively feel that nature experiences give us happiness, relaxation, and that they can be restorative when it comes to coping with life’s many stressors including workplace burnout. This presentation will explore the science behind those effects and share research into the value of adding nature experiences in healthcare settings. Specifically, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the therapeutic value of nature exposure for reducing a wide range of ill-health symptomatology (pain, stress, negative emotion) and facilitating measurable increases in well-being (parasympathetic nervous system activity, positive emotion, attentional capacity, immune system functioning). This educational presentation reviews scientific evidence and theories explaining these effects.

Learner Objectives:

1. Discuss connections between psychological experiences and physiological health benefits of nature exposure.
2. Differentiate biophilia and attentional restoration as theoretical explanations for the wellness benefits of nature exposure.
3. Describe research-based examples of how nature exposure provides humans with health benefits.
4. Identify ways to improve clients’ wellness by increasing nature exposure in healthcare settings.