According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends only 7% of their entire life outdoors. 

Our guest today, Dr. Paula Hartman-Stein, geropsychologist and author, discusses the importance of Vitamin N for Nature by sharing current research about the importance of incorporating nature into our daily lives and provides actionable strategies you can use to reduce "nature-deficit disorder" by incorporating nature into your daily life, even if you cannot leave your home. 

 

Here's a peak into my interview with Dr. Paula Hartman-Stein:

• [02:47] From growing up a coal miner's daughter to writing over 150 articles on aging, today's guest will inspire you with her biography. 
• [08:16] There's a little known but very important vitamin - Vitamin N for Nature. Learn more about Vitamin N for "Nature" here. 
• [16:49] Simply being in nature or forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, as they call it in Japan, benefits the brain. 
• [18:57] Human-animal interactions have even shown reduction in blood pressure and less anxiety. 
• [29:17] Dr. Hartman-Stein answers the question: how often should people be going into nature to receive maximum benefit for mental health and brain health?
• [31:34] Can't make it out in nature? No problem. Learn about how simply looking at photographs of nature stimulates the brain. 
• [36:26] Learn 4 proven strategies to prevent dementia - these are tips you can start using today
• [45:23] For people have been living in assisted living communities and are unable to leave during the pandemic, Dr. Hartman-Stein shares some of the benefits of including plants and photographs of nature living spaces. 

Click here to visit the show notes page to learn more.
Click here to listen to the podcast

FREE GUIDES

• Download the Memory Loss Guide here

Interested in working with me? 

• For Families: Click here
• For Professionals: Click here

Help others find this show by subscribing and leaving a review: 

--
DISCLAIMER: The material on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. Any comments Dr. Koepp may make on the TV Show, blog, or in response to an individual’s story or comments should not be construed as establishing a psychologist-patient relationship between Dr. Koepp and the individual. None of Dr. Koepp's show, website, social media, comments, or group information should be considered a substitute for individualized medical or mental health assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Koepp is only representing h

Have a topic idea? Send us a text.

👉 Want to Become an Aging Informed Therapist? Join us for our live CE course on 8/21/25 from 12-1:30pm EST. Click here to learn more.

PROFESSIONALS: Grab your free guide to working with older adults here


Attention Social Workers, Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Aging Life Care Experts... Click here to get Continuing Education Credits