Your Latest Prescription Is to Get Outside
Virginia Davidson of Bridgton, Maine, paddles her kayak on Moose Pond, Oct. 13, 2021, in Bridgton, Maine. Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Todd Richmond Oct 25
3 MIN READ
Todd Richmond Oct 25
3 MIN READ
Health care providers are trying a new tactic to promote the healing effects of nature: They're actually writing prescriptions for it
Find a shady spot under a tree, take a breath of fresh air and call me in the morning. Health care providers have long suggested stressed-out patients spend time outdoors. Now hundreds of providers are going a step further and issuing formal prescriptions to get outside. The tactic is gaining momentum as social media, political strife and wars abroad weigh on the American psyche.
Of course, no one needs a prescription to get outside, but some doctors think that issuing the advice that way helps people take it seriously.
“When I bring it up, it is almost like granting permission to do something they may see as frivolous when things seem so otherwise serious and stressful,” said Dr. Suzanne Hackenmiller, a Waterloo, Iowa, gynecologist who started issuing nature prescriptions after discovering time outdoors soothed her following her husband's death.
Spending time in natural areas can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones and boost immunity, multiple studies have found.
“Study after study says we're wired to be out in nature,” said Dr. Brent Bauer, who serves as director of the complementary and integrative medicine program at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The program focuses on practices that usually aren't part of conventional medicine, such as meditation, acupuncture, massage and nutrition. “That's more than just ‘Woo-woo, I think nature is cool.’ There's actually science.”
Telling someone to go outside is one thing. The follow-through is something else. Starting about a decade ago, health care providers began formalizing suggestions to get outside through prescriptions.
Dr. Robert Zarr, who doubles as a nature guide, launched an organization called Park Rx America around 2016, offering providers protocols for prescribing nature outings. The guidelines call for talking with patients about what they like to do outside — walking, sitting under a tree, maybe just watching leaves fall — how often to do it and where to go. That all then gets included in a prescription, and Park Rx America sends patients reminders.
Nearly 2,000 providers have registered with the organization across the U.S. and a number of other countries, including Australia, Brazil, Cameroon and Spain. They've issued more than 7,000 nature prescriptions since 2019, said Dr. Stacy Beller Stryer, Park Rx America's associate medical director. About 100 other organizations similar to Park Rx America have sprung up around the U.S., she said.
Bauer specializes in treating CEOs and other business leaders. He said he issues about 30 nature prescriptions every year. The chief executives he treats sometimes don't even know where to begin and a prescription can give them a jump start, he said.
“I recommend a lot of things to a lot of patients,” he said. “I'm not under the illusion all of them get enacted. When I get a prescription, someone hands me a piece of paper and says you must take this medication … I'm a lot more likely to activate that.”
Hackenmiller, the Iowa gynecologist, said she's having more discussions with patients about getting outside as a means of escaping a world locked in perpetual conflict.
“When so many things are out of our control, it can be helpful to step away from the media and immerse ourselves in nature,” she said. “I think time in nature often resonates with people as something they have found solace in and have gravitated to in other times in their life.”
The effectiveness of nature prescriptions is unclear. A 2020 joint study by the U.S. Forest Service, the University of Pennsylvania and North Carolina State University concluded that more work was needed to gauge follow-through and long-term health outcomes.
But unless you're choking on wildfire smoke or swatting swarms of mosquitoes, getting outside — no matter what motivates you — can be helpful.
At William & Mary college in Williamsburg, Virginia, students issue nature prescriptions to their peers. “Patients” obtain prescriptions by filling out online applications indicating how far they'll travel to get to a park, times they can visit, whether they need a ride and favorite outdoor activities.
Students issued an average of 22 online prescriptions per month in 2025, up from 12 per month in 2020.
Kelsey Wakiyama, a senior, grew up hiking trails around her home in Villanova, Pennsylvania, with her family and their dog, Duke. When she started her freshman year in Williamsburg, she didn't know where to walk. She saw an advertisement for nature prescriptions in the weekly student email and eventually got one that helped her find trails near campus.
“I love the greenery,” Wakiyama said. “When you're sitting inside — I was in the library for four hours today — the fresh air feels very nice. It calms my nervous system, definitely. I associate being outside with a lightness, a calmness, good memories. That kind of comes back to me when I'm outside.”
by Todd Richmond“When I bring it up, it is almost like granting permission to do something they may see as frivolous when things seem so otherwise serious and stressful,” said Dr. Suzanne Hackenmiller, a Waterloo, Iowa, gynecologist who started issuing nature prescriptions after discovering time outdoors soothed her following her husband's death.
Spending time in natural areas can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones and boost immunity, multiple studies have found.
“Study after study says we're wired to be out in nature,” said Dr. Brent Bauer, who serves as director of the complementary and integrative medicine program at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The program focuses on practices that usually aren't part of conventional medicine, such as meditation, acupuncture, massage and nutrition. “That's more than just ‘Woo-woo, I think nature is cool.’ There's actually science.”
Telling someone to go outside is one thing. The follow-through is something else. Starting about a decade ago, health care providers began formalizing suggestions to get outside through prescriptions.
Dr. Robert Zarr, who doubles as a nature guide, launched an organization called Park Rx America around 2016, offering providers protocols for prescribing nature outings. The guidelines call for talking with patients about what they like to do outside — walking, sitting under a tree, maybe just watching leaves fall — how often to do it and where to go. That all then gets included in a prescription, and Park Rx America sends patients reminders.
Nearly 2,000 providers have registered with the organization across the U.S. and a number of other countries, including Australia, Brazil, Cameroon and Spain. They've issued more than 7,000 nature prescriptions since 2019, said Dr. Stacy Beller Stryer, Park Rx America's associate medical director. About 100 other organizations similar to Park Rx America have sprung up around the U.S., she said.
Bauer specializes in treating CEOs and other business leaders. He said he issues about 30 nature prescriptions every year. The chief executives he treats sometimes don't even know where to begin and a prescription can give them a jump start, he said.
“I recommend a lot of things to a lot of patients,” he said. “I'm not under the illusion all of them get enacted. When I get a prescription, someone hands me a piece of paper and says you must take this medication … I'm a lot more likely to activate that.”
Hackenmiller, the Iowa gynecologist, said she's having more discussions with patients about getting outside as a means of escaping a world locked in perpetual conflict.
“When so many things are out of our control, it can be helpful to step away from the media and immerse ourselves in nature,” she said. “I think time in nature often resonates with people as something they have found solace in and have gravitated to in other times in their life.”
The effectiveness of nature prescriptions is unclear. A 2020 joint study by the U.S. Forest Service, the University of Pennsylvania and North Carolina State University concluded that more work was needed to gauge follow-through and long-term health outcomes.
But unless you're choking on wildfire smoke or swatting swarms of mosquitoes, getting outside — no matter what motivates you — can be helpful.
At William & Mary college in Williamsburg, Virginia, students issue nature prescriptions to their peers. “Patients” obtain prescriptions by filling out online applications indicating how far they'll travel to get to a park, times they can visit, whether they need a ride and favorite outdoor activities.
Students issued an average of 22 online prescriptions per month in 2025, up from 12 per month in 2020.
Kelsey Wakiyama, a senior, grew up hiking trails around her home in Villanova, Pennsylvania, with her family and their dog, Duke. When she started her freshman year in Williamsburg, she didn't know where to walk. She saw an advertisement for nature prescriptions in the weekly student email and eventually got one that helped her find trails near campus.
“I love the greenery,” Wakiyama said. “When you're sitting inside — I was in the library for four hours today — the fresh air feels very nice. It calms my nervous system, definitely. I associate being outside with a lightness, a calmness, good memories. That kind of comes back to me when I'm outside.”
Copyright Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Photo Credit: Davey Wavey / Instagram
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Davey Wavey, known for his pioneering work in LGBTQ+ media and sex-positive education, has acquired Frog Meadow, New England’s renowned gay resort in southern Vermont.
Frog Meadow, a celebrated bed-and-breakfast and men’s retreat in southern Vermont, has long been regarded as a haven for gay men seeking connection, relaxation, and community. After nearly two decades of passionate stewardship, founders Scott and Dave have announced their retirement and the sale of Frog Meadow to David Jacques—better known to millions as Davey Wavey—a move that signals both continuity and transformation for this cherished LGBTQ+ space .
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For many in the queer community, Frog Meadow has stood as more than just a resort: it is a living legacy, a safe space where men have gathered for workshops, wellness retreats, and the simple joys of companionship. Scott and Dave’s announcement, delivered with heartfelt gratitude and optimism, underscores their dedication to ensuring that the property remains an “oasis for men”—not just in name, but in spirit .
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Davey Wavey, whose media work has centered on sex-positive education, body acceptance, and queer empowerment, is no stranger to Frog Meadow. Having first visited in 2008, Wavey has cultivated a deep relationship with the space and its founders, collaborating on Himeros.tv projects that have brought together diverse voices in the celebration of erotic wellness .
In a statement following the acquisition, Wavey described Frog Meadow as his “favorite place on earth,” a sanctuary offering balance, connection, and beauty in a chaotic world. “Dreams do come true,” he wrote, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to steward the property and nurture its legacy for years to come . The new owner’s commitment is clear: Frog Meadow will remain a safe and inclusive space, continuing to welcome guests and host workshops designed for queer men.
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The transition is being managed thoughtfully, with Scott and Dave staying on through October 30, 2025 to ensure business as usual. All current reservations, credits, and gift certificates will be honored, and key staff members—including Assistant Innkeeper Jay and Guest Services Associate Ben—will remain part of the team . Frog Meadow will re-open for the 2026 season on April 21, operating year-round and continuing its much-loved programming.
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Central to Frog Meadow’s identity are its workshops and retreats, which have offered participants opportunities for personal growth, sexual wellness, and spiritual connection. The upcoming calendar includes events such as “Nourishing Male Vitality Through Tantra and Touch,” led by certified professionals and tailored to the needs of queer men . These programs cover a wide spectrum—from bodywork and massage to discussions of intimacy, mindfulness, and healthy relationships .
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Participants consistently praise Frog Meadow for its atmosphere of camaraderie and acceptance, describing their stays as “relaxed, rejuvenated, and recharged” . The retreat’s commitment to body, mind, and spirit is evident not only in its programming, but in its approach to hospitality: every guest is welcomed as part of a larger community, and the space itself is designed to foster safety, comfort, and meaningful connection.
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With Wavey at the helm, guests can expect the continuation—and evolution—of these offerings, including collaborations with Himeros.tv and other partners in queer wellness and entertainment . The property’s website and booking system remain open, with special promotions marking the transition and encouraging new and returning guests to experience Vermont’s “gay oasis” .
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Frog Meadow’s story is emblematic of the broader movement toward LGBTQ+ affirming travel and hospitality. As queer spaces face pressures from commercialization and shifting social norms, the preservation of dedicated sanctuaries like Frog Meadow takes on renewed importance. The founders’ multi-year plan for succession, rooted in a commitment to community stewardship, reflects a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing LGBTQ+ retreat spaces .
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Wavey’s acquisition is noteworthy not only for its personal significance, but for its potential impact. As a media figure who has championed sex positivity, queer joy, and holistic wellness, Wavey brings a unique perspective to the role of innkeeper. His stewardship promises to balance the traditions of Frog Meadow with new approaches to programming, outreach, and community engagement .
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Looking ahead, Frog Meadow will continue to serve as a model for inclusive, affirming travel, offering workshops, events, and hospitality tailored to the needs of gay, bisexual, and transgender men. The property’s legacy—built over 19 years of service—will endure and evolve, guided by a new generation of leadership committed to nurturing queer wellness and community .
As Frog Meadow enters its next chapter under Davey Wavey’s ownership, the retreat stands poised to remain a cornerstone of queer men’s wellness, connection, and celebration. Guided by a spirit of gratitude and purpose, the new stewardship offers guests the promise of continuity—and the excitement of new horizons in LGBTQ+ hospitality.
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