Chasing Life Episode Summary: "Go Outside, Doctor's Orders"

Release Date: April 18, 2025
Host: Dr. Sanjay Gupta
Podcast: Chasing Life by CNN
Episode Title: Go Outside, Doctor's Orders

In the "Go Outside, Doctor's Orders" episode of Chasing Life, Dr. Sanjay Gupta delves into the profound connection between human health and nature. The episode is structured around two pivotal conversations: first with Dr. Melissa Lem on the therapeutic benefits of spending time outdoors, and second with Britt Ray discussing the psychological impacts of climate change, particularly climate anxiety.

I. The Healing Power of Nature: Dr. Melissa Lem’s Prescriptions

Dr. Melissa Lem, a pioneering family physician in Canada, introduces the concept of prescribing nature as a form of medicine. She emphasizes that her approach is grounded in substantial scientific evidence rather than intuition.

• Evidence-Based Benefits:
  Dr. Lem references a 2018 meta-analysis encompassing various health conditions—from diabetes to ADHD in children—that consistently showed benefits when individuals spent more time outdoors. She states, “Almost across the board, these studies showed some benefit when people spent more time outside. So in general, the trend says that nature is good for our bodies and brains.” (02:51)

• Psychological Theories:
  She explains two main theories behind nature's positive effects:

  1. Attention Restoration Theory:
     Urban environments with their constant stimuli can exhaust our cognitive resources, leading to fatigue and irritability. In contrast, natural settings offer "soft fascination," allowing our attention to replenish. Dr. Lem articulates, “When we spend time in nature, it restores our powers of attention and reduces that fatigue and irritability.” (05:00)

  2. Stress Reduction Theory:
     Nature acts as a recuperative environment that helps individuals recover from stressful experiences. Dr. Lem connects this to our evolutionary history, noting that humans are inherently inclined to seek out natural settings for survival benefits. She remarks, “Nature is really hardwired into us from an evolutionary sense as well.” (05:00)

• Neurological Insights:
  Utilizing MRI studies, Dr. Lem highlights how exposure to nature versus urban environments affects brain activity differently. For instance, viewing urban scenes increases activity in the amygdala—a region linked to anxiety—while nature scenes enhance areas associated with empathy and calmness. She explains, “The nature scenes actually increased activity in the anterior cingulate and insula, which are both linked to increased empathy and altruism, calm and optimism and love.” (06:38)

• Practical Applications:
  Dr. Lem shares her personal experience with forest therapy, known as Shinrin Yoku or forest bathing. Initially skeptical, she found that immersing herself slowly in nature heightened her sense of calm and connection more effectively than vigorous hiking. She encourages others to “take the time to slow down and look and smell and feel” to reap similar benefits. (08:20)

• Phytoncides and Immune Boosting:
  Discussing the role of phytoncides—natural chemicals emitted by plants—Dr. Lem notes research indicating that exposure to these compounds can enhance immune function by increasing natural killer cells. She states, “Natural killer cells which fight off viruses and bacteria and immunoproteins increase and sometimes can stay boosted for as long as a month afterwards.” (09:35)

• Combating Nature Deficit in Youth:
  Addressing the rise of "nature deficit disorder," Dr. Lem underscores the adverse effects of excessive screen time and insufficient outdoor activity in children, including increased obesity and myopia. She highlights her initiative, Parks Prescriptions, which allows healthcare professionals to prescribe national park passes to patients, facilitating easier access to natural environments. She explains, “Giving them a pass that makes it free for them to go to national park or a national historic site or marine conservation area really allows them to access nature more easily.” (12:09)

• Dosage Recommendations:
  Dr. Lem recommends a specific "dosage" of nature exposure: at least two hours per week, with a minimum of 20 minutes each time. She adds flexibility by noting that even a stroll through a neighborhood park or garden can be beneficial if it feels meaningful to the individual. (13:09)

Notable Quote:
Dr. Lem on the universal benefits of nature: “Nature is good for such a wide variety of conditions that it could almost be prescribed for anything.” (12:23)

II. Managing Climate Anxiety: A Conversation with Britt Ray

Transitioning from the restorative power of nature, Dr. Gupta engages in a poignant discussion with Britt Ray, a Stanford researcher and author of Generation Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Crisis. Their conversation centers on the emotional and psychological toll of climate change, particularly among the younger generation.

• Defining Climate Anxiety:
  Britt Ray defines climate anxiety as an umbrella term encompassing various emotions like fear, grief, worry, and anger related to the climate crisis. She notes, “Climate anxiety is really an umbrella term for a variety of challenging emotions that a person can experience when confronting the climate crisis.” (17:30)

• Prevalence Among Youth:
  Referencing her study involving 10,000 young people across 10 countries, Ray reveals that 45% reported their feelings about the climate crisis disrupt their ability to function. She expresses deep concern for the mental health of her generation: “They have every right to be anxious... how do you balance that hope and honesty?” (17:59)

• Impact on Personal Life:
  Ray shares a personal anecdote about her daughter, Sky, whose dreams were overshadowed by climate fears. This illustrates the direct impact of climate anxiety on familial relationships and future planning. Ray questions, “Is that a good framing, you know, in this context of climate anxiety?” (23:50)

• The Concept of Hyperobjects:
  She introduces philosopher Timothy Morton's idea of climate change as a "hyperobject"—a phenomenon so vast and all-encompassing that it defies clear boundaries, making it difficult to address effectively. Ray elaborates, “Climate change... shows up in what comes out of our tailpipe... it just is really difficult to then identify where can I intervene...” (21:10)

• Balancing Hope and Fear:
  Ray emphasizes the necessity of maintaining a balance between hope and fear to navigate the uncertainties of climate change. She advocates for flexible thinking and emotional processing to prevent anxiety from debilitating functionality. “There is so much to be done that can make a difference... emotional processing and coping skills are really important to help people see all is not lost.” (20:50)

• Activism as a Coping Mechanism:
  Discussing her personal decision to have a child amidst the climate crisis, Ray frames activism as a means to create a healthier future. She states, “The decision to have a child meant for me that I have to be a climate activist and I have to be professionally focused on this planetary health crisis.” (25:43)

• Optimism Through Action:
  Despite acknowledging the severe challenges ahead, Ray conveys a message of proactive hope. She believes that by imagining and striving for positive outcomes, society can foster resilience and meaningful change. “The way that we bring about the hope is by using it as a verb. It's something active and doing it together with others, no matter how dark it gets.” (27:32)

Notable Quote:
Ray on managing climate anxiety: “We are not in a unidirectional losing game. There are small wins along the way that people are already making and that we can all be a part of increasingly making.” (19:23)

III. Integrating Nature and Coping with Climate Change

Dr. Gupta skillfully weaves together the themes of nature's therapeutic benefits and the emotional burdens of climate change, highlighting a holistic approach to health and well-being. By advocating for prescribed nature time and addressing the psychological impacts of environmental degradation, the episode underscores the intricate interplay between our environment and mental health.

Conclusion:
"Go Outside, Doctor's Orders" serves as a compelling call to action for individuals and healthcare professionals alike to recognize and harness the healing power of nature while also conscientiously addressing the pervasive anxieties induced by climate change. As Earth Day approaches, Dr. Gupta's insightful conversations encourage listeners to embrace outdoor activities for their health and engage thoughtfully with the environmental challenges that shape our collective future.

This summary encapsulates the essential discussions and insights from the "Go Outside, Doctor's Orders" episode, offering a comprehensive overview for those who haven't tuned in.