Tag: mental health


Parents, communities take note: Teens need nature too.

Over the past decade, parents of young children have been told repeatedly by experts of many stripes: make sure your children are given ample opportunity to spend time outdoors. The benefits to young bodies and minds are many: Greater confidence, increased creativity, reduced stress, to name a few. Yet, similar missives have been largely absent…

Riots, Respite and Renewal in West Baltimore

From the outside, it could be easy to make assumptions about Sandtown-Winchester—the West Baltimore neighborhood where Freddie Gray was fatally arrested two years ago today. Vacant, dilapidated homes and boarded-up storefronts tell a candid story—a story of persistent poverty, crime, and misfortune. Yet, if you look closely, bright glimmers of promise and progress dot the…

Healthy Minds and Strong Communities

A holistic, optimistic approach to health supports productive individuals, and livable communities where people can thrive. Health is not simply an absence of disease or infirmity, but is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Wholesome living environments integrate the opportunities of built, social, natural, and (increasingly) online components to help people be…

Youth Health and Nature

This month consists of an exciting repertoire of respected scientists casting their vote in favor of nature engagement. In an increasingly urbanized planet, close and consistent connection to nature has become rare in many places. Millions of people spend hours working indoors, driving or riding public transportation. In order to minimize unsustainable urban sprawl, cities…

Shinrin Yoku

Each month in our Open Voices blog we share insight from leaders in our communities who are advancing what it means to have sacred, open green spaces in our cities. As you resolve to make your 2015 a spectacular year, we encourage you to spend more time outside for you and your family’s mental health…

What do we need to be healthy?

Each month in our Open Voices blog we share insight from leaders in our communities who are advancing what it means to have sacred, open green spaces in our cities. As you resolve to make your 2015 a spectacular year, we encourage you to spend more time outside for you and your family’s mental health…

Healthy Minds in 2015

Each month in our Open Voices blog we share insight from leaders in our communities who are advancing what it means to have sacred, open green spaces in our cities. As you resolve to make your 2015 a spectacular year, we encourage you to spend more time outside for you and your family’s mental health…

Evidence of Nature Benefits for Mental Wellness #3

Every individual can cope with the normal stresses of life.   “Stress response is triggered by the physical elements of our surroundings, by unpleasant social interactions, or by a perception of something threatening or fearful. When stressed one’s body releases hormones, such as cortisol, that trigger an inner ‘fight or flight’ response. Frequent stress response…

Evidence of Nature Benefits for Mental Wellness #2

Every individual realizes his or her own potential. “Decades ago Abraham Maslow described the concept of a hierarchy of human needs.  The major idea is that people have basic needs such as food, water, and shelter. Once these needs are satisfied, a person, through learning, work, constructive action, and relationships with other people, ascends a…

Evidence of Nature Benefits for Mental Wellness #1

Every individual can work productively and fruitfully. “Early city beautification programs focused on quality of life and generating a harmonious social order within crowded industrial cities. Today, incorporating nature into everyday places is seen as important for an additional reason—the effects on quality of life and human productivity. Cities with amenities are more desirable, and…

"There needs to be more true outlets for secrets, desires and confessions. I am glad this place, this book, is one. It is a less indulgent form of therapy and tiny step towards releasing the thoughts, desires, which haunt you."

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