Title: Nature’s Impact on Human Health & Wellness
Course: Nature & Human Wellness eeCourse > Section: Module 3: Impact of Nature on Human Health & Development

Nature & Our Health

Nature access and connection plays a significant role in promoting and restoring our physical and mental health throughout our lifetime. In this section, we’ll explore an overview of how nature benefits human health using three of the domain categories found in the Biodiversity & Human Health Pathways framework, in addition to nature’s specific effect on our brain health through the following categories:

- Reducing Harm
- Restoring Capacity
- Building Capacity
- Nature Supports Healthy Circadian Rhythms
- Nature Nourishes our Brain

TASK: Listen to Dr. Melissa Marselle introduce the Biodiversity & Human Health Pathways framework introduced in Module 2. She speaks on this subject from 8:00 - 31:00 minutes here: "Nature & Mental Health Webinar"

TASK:  Review the Biodiversity & Human Health Pathways Model below.

Figure 1: Biodiversity & Human Health Pathways Model (Marselle et. al., 2021)

Nature Reduces Harm

Biodiversity can reduce harm in human health and well-being by providing essential services like medicines, food, and clean water, and by regulating environmental stressors such as air and noise pollution and extreme heat, thereby promoting health and well-being.

TASK: To demonstrate one way that biodiversity can reduce harm, read through this case study: “Trees cool the land surface temperature of cities by up to 12°C”

Nature Builds Capacities

Nature builds our capacities by recovering adaptive capabilities depleted by everyday life demands, which if not restored over time, can contribute to mental and physical health issues. Environments that facilitate the replenishment of these depleted resources are termed restorative environments.

TASK: To demonstrate one way that biodiversity can build our capacities, read through this case study: “Experiencing awe in nature has a powerful effect on emotional well-being”

Nature Restores our Capacities

Nature can restore our capacities by enhancing our capability to meet daily demands. This effect can contribute to human health through capacity building efforts primarily through the individual level, however this also extends to neighborhoods and communities.

TASK: Read through this case study: “Bird Song is Good for our Mental Health”to learn more about one way that biodiversity can restore our capacities.

Nature Supports Healthy Circadian Rhythms

Circadian rhythms are the body's internal clock systems that regulate important physiological processes - such as sleep-wake cycles, hunger, and mood regulation. Because natural light can serve as a cue for our bodies' internal clocks - exposure to natural environments supports the healthy development and maintenance of our circadian rhythms by increasing our synchronisation to the day-night cycle, and promoting melatonin regulation for better sleep-wake patterns. For example, witnessing light soon after sunrise helps to reduce melatonin levels and boost alertness in the morning, while evening darkness facilitates melatonin production, signalling our bodies to wind down and prepare for sleep.

TASK: Read through this case study: “‘Light walks’: why exposing yourself to natural daylight is vital for health”to learn more about the link between time spent outside and healthy circadian rhythms.

Nature Nourishes our Brain

Although nature benefits our health in many ways, nature exposure has a particularly nourishing effect on our brains. Research continues to demonstrate an increasingly important link between nature and neuroscience, underscoring the profound impact of natural environments on brain function, emotional well-being, and cognitive abilities. Understanding this connection has important implications for promoting mental health, enhancing learning environments, and designing urban spaces that support human well-being.

TASK: Watch this video to learn more about the positive impact the natural world has on human health through connecting neuroscience and nature. "Nature & Neuroscience with Dr. Susan Masino"

Journal Reflection

In your course journal on your own time, please reflect on the following questions:

- After watching the video featuring Dr. Susan Masino, reflect here in your journal about the following:
  - What was something you heard that stood out to you and why?
  - Why do you think that our brain functioning and cognitive development is impacted by nature connections?
  - Describe how you could apply something you heard from Dr. Masino’s research to your own life and/or the work you do.

- Now that you’ve explored the benefits of nature connections on the whole person and wellness, use the template found in your journal to conduct an assessment of at least 5 tools (physical tools, strategies, methods, etc.) for positively impacting wellness for your students through your lessons/programs, or for students or adults you work with. Think of this as an attempt to create a “Wellness Kit” you will utilize for every EE program/lesson you host (not unlike you would include a First Aid Kit for every field trip).

Building Capstone Project

In your course journal, please answer the following prompt which will help to build your final capstone project :

- Create a one page outline providing the main points, themes, and description for what will become your capstone project.
- Browse through the Children & Nature Network Research Library using keywords related to the specific theme of your capstone project. Find 2 articles that might support your capstone project, link them in your references section in your outline.