Doctors urge patients to treat outdoor time as medicine

Dr. Nathaniel Mann of Prisma Health says he now prescribes time in nature to patients. The emergency doctor and wilderness medicine practitioner argues that outdoor exposure is one of the most powerful treatments available for human health.

Mann cites human evolutionary history as the primary reason for this approach. He notes that humans developed in outdoor environments rather than in dense, structured communities filled with traffic and noise. "Our genetic roots are in the outdoors and the surroundings that we see around us right now," Mann said.

The doctor spent two years traveling the world practicing medicine in remote areas. During that time, he observed that being outside consistently improved patient outcomes. He stated that he absolutely believes people should be prescribed time outside in the same way they are prescribed medication.

Mann points to specific physical benefits of sunlight exposure. He explains that sunlight helps the body develop vitamin D. He links adequate vitamin D levels to improved cancer rates and decreased infections. He also notes that exercising in outdoor settings provides distinct physical advantages compared to indoor activity.

The mental health effects of outdoor time are well documented in research, according to Mann. He observes that many people spend excessive hours on screens, including phones, tablets, and televisions. He states that this screen time is directly linked to anxiety and other psychological conditions. Stepping away from these devices to be outside offers a reset.

Patients do not need to engage in strenuous activity to gain these benefits. Mann clarified that time outdoors does not require a long hike. "It doesn't have to be a hike seven miles in the woods," he said. He noted that 10 to 15 minutes outside can yield major benefits. Activities such as working in a garden, mowing a lawn, or sitting on a back porch are sufficient.

Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, agrees with Mann's assessment. She explained that reduced sunlight exposure leads to lower vitamin D levels. She added that people often begin to experience affective disorders when their vitamin D drops. "Sometimes one of the simplest prescriptions for the body and the brain is to step outside," Rogers said.