Professor Pozzulo’s Pick (November, 2025)

 

Professor Pozzulo’s Pick (November, 2025)

Nature and the Mind: The Science of How Nature Improves Cognitive, Physical, and Social Well-Being, by Marc G. Berman, Ph.D. (2025, published by Simon and Schuster)


My take:

What do you do when you are feeling depleted and can’t concentrate? Or feeling sad? In Nature and the Mind, Berman describes the science that demonstrates how experiencing nature improves our cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being. Not only can your physical health improve so can your mental health and your relationships. Spending time in nature is so impactful that it can even help with negative side-effects of certain drugs and treatments.

Berman notes that the evidence for the benefits of spending time in nature is so compelling that the Canadian Medical Association endorsed a plan to provide Canadians with “social prescriptions” where Canadian health care practitioners can work with patients to come up with personalized nature plans to address their symptoms. A “nature prescription” can increase happiness and hope, renew energy and attention, and motivate cooperation, and connection.

If you don’t have access or the time for outdoor nature, not to worry. Even looking at photos or videos of nature can increase memory, focus, and well-being, although to a lesser degree than the actual experience. Also, listening to “nature sounds” such of birdsong over “urban sounds” (e.g., think blaring horns, sirens) can provide cognitive benefits along with well-being benefits. Consider adding houseplants to your home and workspace. And yes, even artificial plants can be beneficial.

Berman provides end of chapter evidence-based exercises to help enhance your connection to nature. I was so inspired by this book that I went for a walk right after and used Berman’s suggestion of looking up at the trees rather than at the ground. Even though I was tried when I started the walk, I felt restored afterwards.

Have you increased your experiences with nature? Have you altered your environment to include more nature with houseplants or paintings? Have you noticed an improvement with your well-being?

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