I loved all of the research that went into creating this book and found its implications to be life changing. I've purchased a copy for my library and will continue to promote it.

Don't be put off by the self-helpy book title and subtitle like I was. Having read many books with the theme of nature and wellness, I tend be braced for books that are light on research and too cheerleadery. What pleased me about The Nature Fix was that Williams was exploring and questioning diverse areas of research on the impact of the natural environment on human wellbeing (measures of physical health as well as self reports of decreased anxiety or increased positive mood) while also taking the reader with her by sharing her travels, experiences with those environments and cultures, and her reactions. I enjoyed reading it.

The author travels around the world to talk to researchers trying to find out why being out in the natural world is good for us, and describes her adventures, as well as the work of the researchers she meets, in a clear and enthusiastic manner. She takes part in experiments and adventures, discussing their findings with researchers and thinks about how we apply this knowledge - that the natural world is good for humans - to modern life when so many are disconnected by time and financial poverty. The author visits a wide range of scientists and covers a lot of ground, and manages to explain the science in a clear and helpful manner.

People are happy, healthier, and do better overall (in school, at work, etc) when they are able to be exposed to a natural environment (woodlands or waterways) and there's plenty of documentation to back this up.

Now you can either take that one sentence and move forward or you can sit and read a 300 page book and come away with the same thought. Your choice.

The subtitle for this book is: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative. Author Florence Williams does give us some of the scientific evidence to answer the question of 'why' and she's clearly explored a few different studies into the effects of nature on the human psyche.

But why do we need this book?

I picked up this book even though I'm already a strong believer in the need for fresh air and the outdoor environment. I personally would rather be hiking through a woods or sitting on a beach shore than just about anywhere else. I don't need convincing in the effects of the outdoors. This book isn't for me.

But I'm no fool. I know that there are many people (more than half the population as of 2008, according to this book) who live in metropolitan areas who don't get to experience nature. So is this book for them? Is this going to change the mind of the shut-in or the city dweller who doesn't experience a walk among trees or a long a shore? "Oh...I didn't realize there was scientific evidence..."?

Most urbanites, in my mind, don't get out into nature because they either can't or they don't know where or how to go. The scientific evidence that they need to go isn't the motivation that they need. No ... this book is more for the self-confirming - to maybe justify why we head out for a picnic on a Saturday instead of cleaning out the furnace room or doing a little work at home to catch up.

I can't imagine who I would give this book to. My outdoorsy family doesn't need it, and my city-dwelling family wouldn't care about it.

Some of the material is presented in a straight-forward, rather dry style and the early chapters where a bit of a chore to read. The later chapters were more engaging and felt like a breath of fresh air. Still, while I agreed with the conclusions presented, I was left wondering why this book would be important or a must-read. I haven't come up with any answers.

Looking for a good book? The Nature Fix by Florence Williams is a hard look at the documented importance of finding time to spend in nature, but the book is self-affirming to those who already spend time outside and unlikely to convince anyone else of the need.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

THE NATURE FIX: WHY NATURE MAKES US HAPPIER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE CREATIVE by Florence Williams examines why humans need to experience nature.

Written by a journalist, this appealing work of nonfiction weaves together scientific findings with interesting observations about life in nature. With stories from Asia and Scotland to the United States, readers will be drawn to the universal need for time with nature.

Librarians will find this book appeals to a number of audiences including those who enjoy books about science, psychology, creativity, nature, health, and the outdoors, so it would be useful to include it on reading lists across genres. Although written for adults, it is likely to appeal to young adults as well.

Published by W.W. Norton and Company on January 31, 2017. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Well, I can say that this book for sure inspired me to get outside! Not only am I going crazy being stuck indoors from all the snow right now, but after reading this book, I am even more restless. I absolutely find it essential to head into the mountains to feel relaxed, and to become de-stress from life (even though I live in the mountains-right near the John Muir trail by Yosemite;however, there is nothing like hiking out miles into the wilderness, away from all the noises that is even here in a small town). I also agree with Williams when she talks about yearning for the mountains, because, as she describes it, yearning is describing a loss. And as of right now, that's exactly how I feel.
I can't wait to take my daughter and doggies up to the mountains now.

There were at times the overall feel to the book became somewhat repetitive, and drawn out-but if you have a love for nature, this is/will be an inspiration to get back outside and appreciate what nature can do for you.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest opinion. My thanks to Florence Williams and W. W. Norton & Company for the opportunity.

When I need to recharge, I head into the woods. For a long time I thought it was because I grew up in the middle of the Pine Barrens, but it turns out this feeling of renewal and reduction of stress is a quantifiable result for many. Williams carefully takes the reader through the current research as she attempted to answer two questions: why she struggled with stress after moving from Colorado to DC, and why she found relief when she was most within nature. Her direct approach — by traveling to and taking part in many of the research projects — is informative, enjoyable, and helpful. She provides relevant reference notes, I have a much longer reading list now. I hope that this sort of popular science book on this important topic will reach policy makers and school recess will return, greenways improved, and access to more green (and tree-filled) spaces will result.

Reviewed online in conjunction with several other titles; here is relevant section:

THE NATURE FIX by Florence Williams (2/7, W. W. Norton) has a beautiful cover and a chapter titled "You may squat down and feel a plant;" how fun is that? Science journalist Williams deftly describes current research on "Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative." Her examples come from around the world: Japan, Korea, Finland and several more places. She notes numerous benefits from contact with nature, including reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and helping cope with ADHD or PTSD. Filled with fascinating findings and producing an urge to get outside, THE NATURE FIX received a starred review from Kirkus.

Why are so many people becoming near sighted? Why are depression levels up? How can we solve a myriad of problems including ways to become more creative? According to Florence Williams, we need to get out into nature. She travels all over the world looking at various studies, all of which seem to point at being in nature as being a vital part of a healthy life.
She starts with her own experience (which most readers will dismiss as being WAY too small a sample size) but uses that as a jumping off place to move to Japan where people are encouraged to take forest baths (shinrin). She looks at how nature is being used in South Korea and the national parks of the United States. She looks at the importance of silence, more specifically the silence of nature that is actually filled with sound. Then there are the many studies that have shown that recuperating patients heal faster and better when they have a room with a view. Williams looks at what other things are improved when people can look out at nature.
The subject is compelling and the writing is easy to follow. Williams includes large-ranging studies as well as her own personal experiences.

Four stars
This book comes out February 7

This is the book that got me back on scheduling and sticking to outdoor time. It's easy in Chicago wintertime to just hibernate away the cold months. I know I feel better having time in the woods, my kids do too. This is the science and personal experiences behind what we all instinctively know and manage to ignore. People around the world are starting to see the change in health that seems to go along with extended exposure to nature.

I especially liked the chapter set in South Korea. Eating right and outdoor time is an easy fix that is far better than the prescription drugs that are the alternative health care in many cases. People worldwide are spending more and more times indoors and in urban environments. Japanese forest bathing and Finnish metsänpeitto (being covered by forest) were other chapters that struck me as being just a universal longing that we all just seem to push back because we are too busy. Fresh air and time in a quiet forest should be a part of a daily routine. If you can't fit that in, then try it for just two or three days a week and see if you feel better.

Nature Fix is a long book for what it is, and I credit the author with setting each scene so well that you want to hear the entire story. Never did I have that "get on with it" feeling that sometimes accompanies nonfiction. The science is easy to read and to understand. I was struck by the statistics of near epidemic levels of nearsightedness.

High school students would also enjoy this look at the effects of nature around the world. I could see this being part of either health or human geography reading list. I'm always on the hunt for books that would accentuate forest school for older kids/adults, and this one fits the bill.

I read a DRC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kicking off the week of new releases with a non-fiction recommendation. The Nature Fix by Florance Williams is a look at the research behind the premise that being in nature is healing for you. Williams looks at rituals around nature across the globe, from “Forest Bathing” in Japan for stress relief to the walking tours of Scotland. Williams explores the current research being done to study the nature effect on our psychological and physiological health. In particular, she discusses how sight, smell and sound in nature are particularly healing. With homage to Olmstead, Williams demonstrates that being in nature can help combat PTSD, ADHD, depression and stress. Time in the wilderness can heal your cardiovascular system and make you empirically more generous, positive and creative. Not just a survey of current studies or waxing poetic about walks in the woods, Williams gives concrete advice. “Go outside, often, sometimes in wild places. Bring friends or not. Breathe.”. For those of us who are type A, she suggests walking in the outdoors locally several times a week; with longer hikes in the woods once a month with longer nature-centered vacations twice a year. As much as possible, surround yourself with trees and water, which are particularly healing. A fascinating and inspiring read.