Canada Prescribes National Park Pass to Patients for Therapy

Most people go to the doctor and expect to get prescribed a medication or therapy. In Canada, doctors can now prescribe an annual pass to explore the national parks.

Nature has been shown to have many healing benefits. One study showed that children who went to school and lived near nature had better “self-control” and “cognitive development.” Adults had similar results, and it was discovered that urban environments may have a negative impact on attention.

“There’s almost no medical condition that nature doesn’t make better,” stated Melissa Lem, a family physician who partnered with the parks.

Lem started this work in 2019 and was inspired by a similar movement in the United States.

The usual prescription is to spend a couple hours a week in the natural environment. The idea is to be in a calm environment, relieve tension, lower your heart rate and hopefully get some exercise too. It may also be helpful for people who are concerned about climate change.

The number of professionals in the PaRx network, the initiative that partnered with the parks, is up to 2,500. The problem is there’s not an unlimited number of passes. In fact, each provider is allowed only one prescription each month, so they prioritize by financial needs and the patient’s proximity to a park.

“We don’t want people banging down their doctors’ doors to ask for a guest pass,” said Lim.

Lim also believes that by spending more time in nature, people will become more interested in something like Climate change.

“If you love something, you want to protect it.”

Sounds like a win-win. Hopefully this movement catches on in more areas of world so prescription medications can dwindle, and Climate change can be more seriously addressed.

Related Content:

• The Health Benefits Of Forest Bathing, A Mindful Way To Connect With Nature
• The Surprising Effect Being Disconnected From Nature Has On Our Health And Well-Being
• Why Meditation (Not Medication) Is The Key To A Happier You
• Eco-Anxiety And Climate Grief: How Some People Are Coping With The Mental Health Effects Of Climate Change

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!