The Why Factor

Why does nature calm anxiety?

07.29.2019 - By BBC World ServicePlay

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As the world grows more urban, humanity moves further away from nature. Could this be the reason anxiety has become the most diagnosed mental illness in the west? The idea of mindfulness is becoming more popular as the mainstream grows more aware of how panicked we all are. How are we tackling this issue? Jordan Dunbar dives into a niche of researchers and therapists who are learning about and treating the negative symptoms of urban life with a dose of nature. Lea Kendall, Therapist and James Kendall, Wilderness Instructor

Birgitta Gatersleben, Environmental Psychologist

Patricia Hasbach, Clinical Psychotherapist

Harini Negrenda, Professor of Sustainability at Azim Premji University, Bangalore, India

Layla McCay, Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health Presented and Produced by Jordan Dunbar

Researcher Julia Webster

Editor Richard Knight

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