Nature Rx

A. Rakow Donald, T. Eells Gregory

Description

The Nature Rx movement is changing campus life. Offering alternative ways to deal with the stress that students are under, these programs are redefining how to provide students with the best possible environment in which to be healthy, productive members of the academic community. In Nature Rx, Donald A. Rakow and Gregory T. Eells summarize the value of nature prescription programs designed to encourage college students to spend time in nature and to develop a greater appreciation for the natural world. Because these programs are relatively new, there are many lessons for practitioners to learn; but clinical studies demonstrate that students who regularly spend time in nature have reduced stress and anxiety levels and improved mood and outlook.In addition to the latest research, the authors present a step-by-step formula for constructing, sustaining, and evaluating Nature Rx programs, and they profile four such programs at American colleges. The practical guidance in Nature Rx alongside the authors' vigorous argument for the benefits of these programs for both students and institutions places Rakow and Eells at the forefront of this burgeoning movement.

Sujets

• Sociologie, société et politique
• Higher education
• Health

Informations

• Publié par: Cornell University Press
• Date de parution: 15 mai 2019
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781501715303
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 13 Mo

Extrait

Nature Rx

Nature Rx Improving CollegeStudent Mental Health

Donald A. Rakow and Gregory T. Eells

Comstock Publishing Associates An imprint of Cornell University Press

Ithaca and London

Copyright © 2019 by Cornell University

All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Cornell University Press, Sage House, 512 East State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850. Visit our website at cornellpress.cornell.edu.

First published 2019 by Cornell University Press

Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data

Names: Rakow, Donald Andrew, 1951– author. | Eells, Gregory T., 1967– author. Title: Nature Rx : improving collegestudent mental health / Donald A. Rakow  and Gregory T. Eells. Description: Ithaca [New York] : Comstock Publishing Associates, an imprint of  Cornell University Press, 2019. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2018052242 (print) | LCCN 2018052970 (ebook) |  ISBN 9781501715297 (ebook epub/mobi) | ISBN 9781501715303 (ebook pdf) |  ISBN 9781501715280 | ISBN 9781501715280 (pbk. ; alk. paper) Subjects: LCSH: College students—Mental health—United States. | Nature—  Psychological aspects. | Outdoor recreation—Psychological aspects. | Nature,  Healing power of. Classification: LCC RC451.4.S7 (ebook) | LCC RC451.4.S7 R35 2019 (print) |  DDC 616.8900835—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018052242

Cover photo: Lindsay France/Cornell University Photography

I would like to acknowledge the continued support of my wife, Michelle, and my three children, Kayla, Cole, and Cade. I would also like to acknowledge my incredible colleagues at CPS and Cornell Health. —Greg Eells

I would like to thank my wife, Sue, who keeps me grounded; all my Cornell collaborators on the Nature Rx project; and nature itself, which inspires me every day. —Don Rakow

Contents

Acknowledgments ix Introduction 1 1 The Mental Health Crisis on US Campuses 4 2 The Proven Benefits of Spending Time in Nature 17 3 Developing a Nature Rx Program on a College  Campus 31 4 Nature Rx Programs on Four University Campuses 47 5 The Role of Nature Rx Programs in the Future  of Higher Education 69 Appendix A: UC Davis Arboretum and Public  Garden Nature Rx Course Syllabus 77

Appendix B: Cornell Nature Rx Club: Spring  Activities 79 Notes 81 Bibliography 87 Index 93

Acknowledgments

e would like to thank the following college and university W collaborators: Kathleen Socolofsky, Carmia Feldman, Stacey Parker, and A. Haven Kiers from the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden

Jeannie Larson from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing at the Univer sity of Minnesota

Dorothy Ibes from the Parks Research Lab of the College of William and Mary

Members of the 2018 Nature Rx@Cornell Steering Committee: Catherine ThrasherCarroll, David Cutter, Marianne Krasny, Marc MagnusSharpe, Kevin Moss, Philip Robinson, Naomi Sachs, Nancy Wells; interns Grace Robbins and Allyson LaRosa; and students Denisse GayossoLucano, Lauren Yeaman, Kellie Damann, and Sarah Marino