Nature as Medicine Patient Resources

The Osher Center offers Nature Prescriptions for interested patients as well as ongoing Nature as Medicine resources and support.

How to get a Nature Prescription:

• Tell your UC Health provider that you are interested in a Nature Prescription
• Self-refer by calling 513-475-9567 (ask for Dava) or email us at osher.integrative@uc.edu or  Join our Nature as Medicine email list for the latest program updates, events, and opportunities!

Welcome! To get started, please watch this Nature Rx Welcome Video from Barbara Walker, PhD, Director, Nature as Medicine Program.

Why Nature as Medicine?

Research has shown that spending time in nature offers numerous health benefits. Being surrounded by nature can help reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, enhance immune system function, and boost self-esteem and mood. People living with chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, depression, and anxiety, as well as those pre- and post-surgery, have been shown to have improved health outcomes when spending time in nature. Read more: UC News: The Healing Power of Nature

Nature as Medicine Events, Classes, and Opportunities (No-Cost)

• Nature as Medicine Monthly Meetup: The first Monday of each month from 1-1:30 p.m. Barbara Walker, PhD, Director of the Nature as Medicine Program at the Clifton Library will guide patients in writing their nature prescriptions and discuss upcoming opportunities.
• Well-being Walks in Burnet Woods in Partnership with the Clifton Library: Weekly on Mondays from 12:15-12:45 p.m. a walking club will leave from the Clifton Library and walk through Burnet Woods. The first Monday of each month, experts from the Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Cincinnati will lead a special Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) experience during the walk.
• Mindfulness in Motion: Tai Chi in Nature at Owl's Nest Park: The third Wednesday of each month from noon - 1p.m. Reconnect with your body and mind free monthly Tai Chi classes in Owls Nest Park with Osher Center instructor Jennifer Woods, certified Tai Chi instructor.
• Parks & Rec for Wellness Classes: From yoga, roller skating, dancing and more, Cincinnati Parks & Rec for wellness is thrilled to offer a series of outdoor classes designed to help you move your body, boost your mood, and connect with your community. All are welcome—just show up and feel better in our parks!
• Cincinnati Parks Foundation Hiking Series: every week from May through October, join us for a free hiking group at parks across Cincinnati! The Osher Center will lead hikes the third Saturday of each month! View the Cincinnati Parks Foundation Events webpage for the full schedule.
  • Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Burnet Woods
  • Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Mt. Airy Forest (Treehouse)
  • Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Ault Park (Pavilion/Fountain)
  • Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Mt. Airy Forest (Treehouse)
  • Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Ault Park (Pavilion/Fountain)
  • Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Mt Airy Forest (Treehouse)

• Mindful Bird Watching with the Cincinnati Library at the Civic Garden Center: Third Saturdays, May-September from 9-11 a.m. come discover why birdwatching is the ideal activity to combine with the practice of mindfulness
• Community Yoga at Burnet Woods: Every Saturday from 11–11:45 am, all levels are welcome! Burnet Woods yoga is year-round, May 1-Oct 14 at the bandstand and Oct 15 – April 30 at Trailside Nature Center.
• Smale Mind & Body Yoga Classes at the Schmidlapp Event Lawn (Outside of Moerlein Lager House): Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. from June through September.
• Roller Skating at Sawyer Point: Outdoor roller skating returns to the Riverfront Rink at Sawyer Point on June 1 and continues through October with a series of free outdoor roller skating events with music and more in Cincinnati's only outdoor rink. New, no-cost programming will also be offered at the rink this year:
  • Kids Dance (ages 10 & under) facilitated by Intuitive Roots Dance Theatre with Sarah Spurling - Saturdays from 2-3 p.m.
  • Roller Skating lessons (all ages) facilitated by Skate Downtown Cincy with Dylan Morton and David Chambers - Sundays at 2 p.m.
  • Yoga (all ages) facilitated by Soaring Soul Wellness with Marie Asbury - Sundays from 1-2 p.m.

How to Write Your Own Nature Prescription 

Write your own prescription through Park Rx America

• Place: Where do you feel safe and comfortable outside?
• Activity: What do you enjoy and can commit to doing outside?
• Frequency: How many days per week and for how long?

Tips for Incorporating Nature into Your Routine

1. Schedule regular "nature breaks" throughout your day, even for 10 minutes at a time.
2. Bring greenery or images of natural spaces into your home and office, both of which have been shown to lower stress according to studies.
3. Try “green exercise” — moving your workout outdoors provides benefits. A recent study found that a short, leafy stroll improves working memory and concentration substantially more than completing the same brief walk inside.
4. Turn a regular meeting into a walking meeting outdoors.
5. Eat a meal outside in nature (turn any meal into a fun picnic).
6. Try a no-cost Cincinnati Parks Foundation wellness program such as yoga, forest bathing or meditation.

Read more: UC News: The Healing Power of Nature 

Video Resources

Nature & Lifestyle Medicine

There are 6 Official Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, and now mounting evidence supports Nature As Medicine as The 7th (Unofficial) Pillar of Lifestyle Medicine.

The Osher Center offers lifestyle medicine consultations, covered by insurance like any other visit with your provider, you will initially meet with your physician or nurse practitioner for one hour. They will learn about your personal, medical and family history; your dietary, exercise and sleep habits; your sources of stress and coping mechanisms, and then will assess your health concerns and evaluate your symptoms, order any necessary tests and create mutually agreed upon lifestyle prescriptions.

Our goal is to work with you to create a personalized self-care plan that you can implement and sustain with your lifestyle. To schedule a consultation, call 513-475-9567.

Community Resources