A Green Social Prescription is a new form of prescription. Alongside other, traditional, treatments your health professional may prescribe spending time outdoors.
What is a Green Social Prescription?
A Green Social Prescription is a way to improve your health and wellbeing by connecting with nature and the outdoors. Your healthcare provider (GP, physiotherapist, pharmacist, etc.) may recommend spending time outdoors as part of your care. This could include:
- Joining local nature-based groups.
- Trying specific outdoor activities.
- Receiving referrals to community or wellbeing professionals for additional support.
- To hear more, watch a documentary film on the stories of people who have used nature in their recovery from substance use, led by the University of Stirling.
Why is Green Social Prescribing offered?
Spending time outdoors has been shown to help people’s physical health, mental health and help manage long term conditions by:
- Reducing stress, tiredness, anxiety, and depression.
- Reducing your heart rate and blood pressure and reducing diseases such as asthma and type 2 diabetes.
- Increasing the healthy bacteria in your gut, levels of vitamin D and supporting your immune system.
What’s on near me?
Looking for local support? Explore our directory to find a range of services and activities designed for adults living and working in West Lothian.
Are you a service provider? Share your offerings! Add your services to our directory or email us at westspace@health-in-mind.org.uk.
