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PaRx and Recreation: Treatment on the Trails

Writer's picture: Andrea PicardoAndrea Picardo


Research has consistently shown that going outside has significant benefits for health – these benefits include and are not limited to living longer, increased energy, reduced stress and anxiety, better mood, pain reduction, and improved heart health.


That is why a new program has been developed called PaRx Prescriptions. As Canada’s first national, evidence-based nature prescription program, certain practitioners can now prescribe a Canadian National Parks Pass to one patient per month.


I am a PaRx prescriber because of the countless benefits to patients in my areas of focus (fertility, pregnancy, and pediatrics) and beyond at just 2 hours a week in nature for 20 minutes at a time. Here are some examples of how a PaRx prescription can be helpful:

  • Pregnancy: Spending time in nature during pregnancy reduces your exposure to air pollution, noise pollution and heat—reducing stress on you and your growing baby. A study of over 2,000 expectant mothers showed that those who live near more green space deliver babies with higher birth weights.

  • Early life: Young children who play in nature compared to a traditional playground develop superior motor skills, balance and coordination. Children who attend outdoor daycares with lots of greenery sleep longer at night and enjoy better overall health.

  • Children: Children who spend time in nature are more physically active and less sedentary— especially if the green space is more diverse. Living in a neighbourhood with nature reduces the risk of childhood obesity. Kids who play in recently greened school grounds play more cooperatively, communicate better, and decrease aggressive behaviour.

  • Stress management: Research shows that people who spend at least 2 hours in nature each week report significantly better health and wellbeing. Science suggests that the most efficient drop in cortisol (our stress hormone) happens between 20 to 30 minutes in nature.

  • Boost work performance: Spending 4 days in nature can increase creativity by 50%. Memory and focus improve significantly after a short nature walk compared to a walk on a city street. As mentioned above, time in nature helps decrease cortisol levels and green spaces in the workplace can increase job satisfaction.


There are other countless benefits for general adult and elder health, mental health, respiratory health and immunity, conjunctive cancer care, and improving cardiovascular health. In the pediatric population, there are specific benefits for mental health, school success, ADHD, encouraging healthy weight and activity, and improving allergies and asthma.


If you feel like a PaRx prescription could be beneficial for your health journey, you can learn more about the many benefits at https://www.parkprescriptions.ca/en/whynature.


You can also reach to me directly so we can chat about it! This is a great opportunity to truly implement “nature cure”. Feel free to book a free 15 minute consult for any inquiries.


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© 2023 by Dr. Andrea Picardo, ND

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER | All material on this website is provided for information and educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your  healthcare professional or physician.

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