A fascinating look at why human beings have a powerful mental,
spiritual, and physical need for the natural world--and the profound
impact this has on our consciousness and ability to heal the soul and
bring solace to the heart, and the cutting-edge scientific evidence
proving nature as nurturer.
"The connection between mental health and the natural world turns out to
be strong and deep--which is good news in that it offers those feeling
soul-sick the possibility that falling in love with the world around
them might be remarkably helpful." --Bill McKibben
Lucy Jones interweaves her deeply personal story of recovery from
addiction and depression with that of discovering the natural world and
how it aided and enlivened her progress, giving her a renewed sense of
belonging and purpose.
Jones writes of the intersection of science, wellness, and the
environment, and reveals that in the last decade, scientists have begun
to formulate theories of why people feel better after a walk in the
woods and an experience with the natural world. She describes the recent
data that supports evidence of biological and neurological responses:
the lowering of cortisol (released in response to stress), the boost in
cortical attention control that helps us to concentrate and subdues
mental fatigue, and the increase in activity in the parasympathetic
nervous system, slowing the heart and allowing the body to rest.
"Beautifully written, movingly told and meticulously researched. An
elegy to the healing power of nature. A convincing plea for a wilder,
richer world." --Isabella Tree, author of Wilding
