RESEARCH

Campus Nature Rx: How Investing in Nature Interventions Benefits College Students

The Campus Nature Rx movement demonstrates that nature-based interventions, such as green microbreaks and ecotherapy courses, significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and depression among college students while improving mood and resilience. These programs are cost-effective and widely valued by students, offering practical solutions to address the campus mental health crisis.

Program Types: Social

Population Groups: Students

Setting or Context: Schools/Educational Settings

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Stress Management, Improved Cognitive Function, Improved Sleep Quality

Allied Profession Intersections: Counselling, Education

Type of Activity: Indoor Plant Care, Plant Propagation, Forest/Natural Area Immersion

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes, Program Effectiveness

Access: Free

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Summary

This paper highlights the Campus Nature Rx (CNRx) movement, which promotes nature-based interventions to address the growing mental health challenges faced by college students. It explains how spending time in natural environments, such as campus green spaces or gardens, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while improving mood, focus, and overall well-being. The CNRx Network has grown from four universities to over 50 institutions across the U.S., offering programs like nature prescriptions, green infrastructure projects, and ecotherapy courses. Research shows even brief interactions with nature—such as 1-5 minute microbreaks or 20-minute walks—can significantly improve emotional health and resilience. These initiatives aim to integrate nature into students’ daily lives and schedules to foster a sense of belonging and psychological recovery.

The paper also discusses innovative approaches like online maps for green spaces, peer referrals to local parks, and wellness activities such as yoga in arboretums or forest bathing sessions. Evidence from surveys and student testimonials suggests that these programs are effective in reducing stress and enhancing social connections. The authors argue that investing in nature-based solutions is a cost-effective way for colleges to improve student mental health while creating healthier campus environments. The review concludes by emphasizing the importance of expanding these interventions to support students during a critical period of personal growth.

Link

Rakow, D.A., & Ibes, D.C. (2022). Campus Nature Rx: How investing in nature interventions benefits college students. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 960370.

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