“Nature is one of the only things that can capture our attention without taxing it,” says Julia Hotz.

Julia, a solutions journalist and author joins us to discuss how to treat a plethora of mental and physical health conditions through community, nature, and beyond. Plus:

-The worthwhile benefits of sea swimming (~02:19)

-An unexpected prescription for type II diabetes (~05:04)

-Denmark’s Culture Vitamins program (~11:40)

-Why art therapy is so effective for kids & PTSD (~15:45)

-How storytelling can heal the mind (~18:43)

-How to work art into your well-being routine (~20:09)

-Her personal favorite social prescription (~22:10)

-The link between relationships & longevity (~32:03)

-The healing power of volunteering (~36:05)

-Why Norway runs a Dementia Farm (~38:35)

-How to find the best social prescription for you (~45:16)

Referenced in the episode:

-Connect with Julia on Instagram (hotzthoughts) and online (https://www.socialprescribing.co/)

-Pick up her book The Connection Cure

-Research on cycling and mortality rates (https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1168357)

-Learn more about the Danish Twin Research Center which found that 80% of health is dictated by the environment. (https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/institutter-centre/ist_sundhedstjenesteforsk/centre/dtr)

-More research on the link between social connections and longevity (https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316)

-Learn more about Norway’s dementia care farm program (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S074301672100022X)

-Research on ADHD and nature: One study on 20-minute park walks, a longitudinal study on living in green areas, and a review study on nature exposure and cognitive functioning and attention. (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1087054708323000 | https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(19)30070-1/fulltext | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10648-022-09658-5#:~:text=Study%20duration&text=These%20studies%20were%20most%20consistent,impulse%20control%20(Amicone%20et%20al.)

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