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Science Quickly

Going Outside Can Change Our Hormones and Improve Microbiome Diversity

Jan 8, 2025
Join Kathy Willis, a biodiversity professor at the University of Oxford and author of *Good Nature*, as she explores the profound impact of nature on our health and well-being. Discover how even a simple houseplant or a stroll through a city park can enhance your microbiome and improve mental health. Willis shares insights on the sensory connections with plants and their surprising healing powers, from boosting recovery rates to shaping our gut health. Dive into the wonders of nature and learn how to incorporate its benefits into everyday life.
18:11

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Interacting with nature, even through simple elements like houseplants, can significantly reduce stress and promote overall health benefits.
  • Exposure to diverse natural environments improves microbiome diversity, which is essential for physical and mental well-being.

Deep dives

The Impact of Nature on Human Health

Interacting with nature can significantly enhance physical and mental well-being. Research indicates that simply looking at green spaces, like trees from a hospital window, can lead to faster recovery rates for patients. This connection suggests that visual exposure to natural elements triggers physiological changes, such as reduced heart rates and lower stress hormone levels, promoting relaxation and healing. These findings underline the profound impact that natural environments can have on overall health, emphasizing the need for increased access to green spaces as a health resource.

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