How prescribing time in nature helps reduce loneliness

“In wildness is the preservation of the world.”
Henry David Thoreau

After cutting the engine on the boat, the captain asked everyone on board to sit in silence for several minutes.

We were instantly transported to a heightened state of awareness of our natural surroundings. Surrounded by towering peaks covered in ancient moss-covered beech trees and podocarp forest on the lower slopes, the boat bobbed gently on the inky black water. The quiet, other than the wind, enveloping us in its cloak of stillness. It was pure magic.

Doubtful Sound is one of the fourteen sounds in Fiordland in the Southern Island of New Zealand carved out by massive glaciers 20 million years ago. This area, also known as Te Rua-o-te-moko, has to be seen to gain the full experience of its beauty and serenity.

As we sat, it was hard not to feel a deep sense of awe and connection to place.

I tried to imagine what it would be like to survive in this wilderness. Having watched ‘Alone Australia’ where a group of 12 contestants battle it out to see who can last the longest on their own, I know that while I would love the solitude for a little while, I would be tapping out to reconnect with people after a relatively short time. I love being alone but hate feeling lonely.

Yet, time in nature is recognised as a way of combating loneliness. It can be prescribed as a therapy known as nature-based social prescribing.

So, how does this work and why does it matter?

Nature-based social prescribing

Loneliness is recognised as a global public health issue. It affects both physical and mental health and well-being and longevity.

1/3 of people living in industrialised countries identify as being lonely.

During the time of lockdowns in the global pandemic, it was noted how time in nature eased some of the burden of loneliness. Getting outside for that daily one hour of permitted ‘exercise’ was a relief as we scampered outside to reconnect with the world at large.

Research quickly indicated the value of getting outside. For example, sitting in a park for 5 minutes was shown to boost the sense of interconnectedness with the world at large. Think how much could be achieved by sitting there for longer. Other studies have also shown how time in nature boosts social cohesion, social bonding and social relationships.

Social prescribing is a non-clinical intervention where the individual is connected to different community activities designed to boost social interaction. Nature-based social prescribing is as it sounds. Here the activities might include joining a walking group or a community-led garden or a re-wilding project. Spending time outside in this way promotes opportunities to form new friendships, as well as more time in fresh air and sunshine to boost health, well-being and stimulate positive behaviour change.

A systematic review of studies examining the effectiveness of these programs supports the theory that these nature-based social prescriptions exert a positive benefit in reducing loneliness. It is hoped that government-sponsored social prescribing programs can be implemented which will provide further data as to which type of interventions work best and the ideal length of such programs.

As an inexpensive intervention to help reduce the burden of loneliness and improve overall health and well-being, nature-based social prescriptions appear to have an important role to play in future urban planning.

If loneliness is something you have struggled with, what have you found effective to improve your own situation?

Lifestyle medicine practitioners seek to improve health and well-being by reducing the potential risk of chronic disease. This is about being proactive rather than reactive, providing you the information and accessibility to the resources you need to make the best choices for your circumstances.

Have you been involved in a nature-based intervention for your health and well-being?