Nature was the first physician, the first hospital, the first pharmacy, and the first healthcare plan.
The scientific community is finally (and formally) proving what we have always known... time in nature makes us healthier.
Healthcare systems have been utilizing nature as a form of treatment for decades. One of the gold-standard examples of this progress is the Canada PaRx program.
PaRx is an initiative of the British Columbia Parks Foundation driven by healthcare professionals. It is Canada's first national nature prescription program, focused on "prescribing time in nature for lifelong health benefits."
Imagine seeing your provider and being told you would receive a prescription to go outside.
That is a world we want to live in.
We all know that increased physical activity is associated with significant health benefits. These include a reduction in obesity and blood pressure and improvements in child development and mental health.
Welcome to Episode Thirty-Six of The Nature of Wellness Podcast.
On this episode, we sat down with Dr. Melissa Lem, a Vancouver family physician who works in rural and northern communities. She also serves as the Director of Canada PaRx and President of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment.
Dr. Lem is an internationally recognized leader in nature and health, a widely published writer, climate change panelist, medical columnist, and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia.
Join us as we talk to Melissa about her personal and professional journey with the natural world, the incredible benefits nature can provide to our physical and mental health, the need for nature as part of mainstream medical programming, and her motivations behind founding Canada PaRX.
Dr. Lem discusses the fantastic work the program is currently involved in, the need for prescribing nature in our current world, and practical tips for both providers and patients to begin utilizing nature for health.
We certainly felt healed after this physician visit.
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We appreciate you all.
Be Well
-NOW
Dr. Lem Instagram: @drmelissalem
Dr. Lem Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-lem-02815b25b/
PaRx Program Website: https://www.parkprescriptions.ca/
Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment: https://cape.ca/
Canadian Geographic Interview with Dr. Lem:
https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/interview-with-melissa-lem-on-making-nature-more-accessible-and-becoming-a-climate-activist/
Dr. Lem Interview on The Weather Network:
https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/climate/solutions/changemakers-meet-the-doctor-prescribing-nature-to-her-patients
CBC Article: Nature and Mental Health: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-fo
* The Nature of Wellness Podcast is produced by the remarkable Shawn Bell.
** The NOW theme song was written, performed, produced, and graciously provided by the incredibly talented Phil and Niall Monahan.