Nature is good for us, and a new book by Kathy Willis reveals how it can improve our health, mood, and longevity. Good Nature brings together recent scientific findings and shares simple changes we can make in our lives, such as looking out of windows at trees, touching wood, and having a pot plant by our desk. It also shows how nature can reduce the costs of healthcare and create a better, happier, and healthier environment for all.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 29 August 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

‘This lucid and entertaining book presents compelling scientific evidence that proves what many of us have perhaps long suspected: nature is really good for us. I found it revelatory Richard Deverell, Director of Kew A revolutionary,science-based look at the ways nature can help make us healthier. Fifteen years ago,University of Oxford Professor Kathy Willis read a study that radically changed her view of our relationship to the natural world. The study revealed that hospital patients recovering from surgery improved three times faster when they looked out of their windows at trees rather than seeing walls. Since then,she has dedicated her research to proving this link between the amount of green space in our lives and our better health,mood and longevity. For the first time ever,Good Nature brings together these recent scientific findings and shares the simple changes we can all make in our lives. The book is full of surprising and practical ways that nature can improve our lives,such as: did you know that cedar enhances cancer-fighting cells in our immune system? Or that touching wood makes us feel calmer (the woodier,the knot-ier,the better)? Or that the scent of roses helps people drive more calmly and safely? Even having a pot plant by your desk can make a difference. A book with applications to everything from which way we walk to work to choosing where our kids should go to school, Good Nature brings the latest scientific research into our homes and workplaces. It shows how nature can help reduce the costs of healthcare and how,by bringing nature into our towns and cities,we can create a better,happier and healthier environment for all.

Nature's Positive Impact on Our Health and Well-being

In recent years, there has been a growing body of scientific evidence that suggests that nature has a profound impact on our health and well-being. This book, "Good Nature," presents compelling scientific evidence that supports this claim. Authored by Kathy Willis, a Professor of Environmental Science at the University of Oxford, the book explores the various ways in which nature can improve our lives. Willis's research has focused on the relationship between green space and health, and she has found that exposure to nature can have a positive effect on our physical and mental health.

The Benefits of Green Space

One of the key findings of Willis's research is that exposure to green space can improve our physical health. Studies have shown that people who live in areas with more green space have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and respiratory illness. Green space can also help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and boost our immune system. Willis explains that green space provides a natural environment that is free from pollution and other environmental toxins, which can have a negative impact on our health.

The Benefits of Touching Wood

Another surprising finding of Willis's research is that touching wood can have a positive effect on our health. Willis explains that wood has a natural anti-inflammatory effect, which can help to reduce inflammation in the body. She also notes that touching wood can help to improve our mood and reduce stress. Willis suggests that we should incorporate more wood into our daily lives, such as by using wooden furniture or walking barefoot on the ground.

The Benefits of Scented Plants

Scented plants can also have a positive effect on our health. Willis explains that the scent of roses, for example, can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and boost our immune system. She suggests that we should incorporate more scented plants into our homes and workplaces, such as by using essential oils or growing plants in our gardens.

The Benefits of Nature in the Workplace

Nature can also have a positive impact on our work lives. Willis explains that exposure to nature can help to reduce stress and improve productivity. She suggests that we should incorporate more nature into our workplaces, such as by adding plants to our offices or creating outdoor spaces for employees to relax.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Good Nature" presents compelling scientific evidence that suggests that nature has a profound impact on our health and well-being. Willis's research has shown that exposure to green space, touching wood, scented plants, and nature in the workplace can have a positive effect on our physical and mental health. By incorporating more nature into our lives, we can improve our overall health and well-being and create a more sustainable future for ourselves and for future generations.

Weight: 588g
Dimension: 162 x 244 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526664891