Have you appreciated a cloud or chatted with a bird lately?

These are two of the many "nature prescriptions" that doctors in Shetland, Scotland can prescribe to their patients as of October. Below are sample prescriptions for April, from the prescription calendar produced by NHS Shetland.

As this article notes, the evidence for the benefits of nature on mental and physical health are numerous. For instance, researchers have found that spending one and half hours in a forested area will make the part of our brains associated with depression less active. Spending time in nature not only reduces blood pressure, anxiety, and increases happiness, but it also reduces aggression and ADHD symptoms and improves pain control and the immune system.

I really like the idea of a nature prescription calendar adapted to New Zealand's seasons and landscapes - anyone keen?

See also: The connection between wellbeing and nature