Overview

Nature, Our Medicine: How the natural world sustains us Find out how connecting to nature can boost your health and heal our planet Join mother, nature lover and family physician, Dr Dimity Williams as she explores the most important relationship we have - our connection with nature. The natural world provides our life support system- giving us clean air and water, a stable climate and healthy soils to grow our food. Earth's biological richness, or biodiversity, offers us precious medicines and beautiful places for psychological and spiritual rejuvenation. Yet modern life has seen screen spaces replace green places as we have moved inside and into virtual worlds. This change has not been good for us, or our planet. Lifestyle-related diseases and mental health problems are overwhelming health systems everywhere. Meanwhile, outside, the natural world is falling apart with climate change and mass extinctions of plants and animals. The solution is simple: we need to reconnect to nature Incorporating science, history, stories, and alternative cultural knowledge, Dimity makes the case that caring for nature is essential for our wellbeing. And, for all life on Earth. Uncover the links between planetary and human health Discover the benefits of time in nature for your body, mind and heart Learn how to go forest bathing and create your own nature prescription Find out why nature play is so important for children Look to the philosophies of First Nations people Recognise your inherent biophilia, or love of the living world See how we can heal ourselves and our planet at the same time Praise for Nature, Our Medicine""Nature, Our Medicine is a live-changing proposition. It takes us through the rapids of our high stress world to the calming balm of nature."" Bob Brown ""A comprehensively researched, powerful book that will leave no reader in doubt of the inextricable link between our health, our wellbeing and humanity's life support system - Earth."" Dr Eugenie Kayak, Enterprise Professor in Sustainable Healthcare ""No surprise that Dr Dimity Williams brings her nurturing nature as a compassionate GP, a wonderful mother and nature lover to this honest, heartfelt and healing book. Through her scientific expertise, life experience and common sense, she doesn't sugar coat the challenges but also leaves the reader hopeful with practical solutions from making space in our lives for nature, inspiring the next generation, and even writing nature prescriptions for her patients."" Dr Grant Blashki, Lead Clinical Adviser, Beyond Blue, Associate Professor in Global Health University of Melbourne About the author Dr Dimity Williams has worked as a family physician for 25 years and in environmental advocacy with multiple organisations. Dimity is an alumna of the Centre for Sustainability Leadership and founder of Doctors for the Environment Australia's Biodiversity Special Interest Group. Especially interested in how time in nature supports children's wellbeing, she is a co-founder of the Kids In Nature Network. Dimity envisions a world where all children have every opportunity to experience, love and look after nature.

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Reviews

Nature, Our Medicine is a live-changing proposition. It takes us through the rapids of our high stress world to the calming balm of nature. Dr Bob Brown A comprehensively researched, powerful book that will leave no reader in doubt of the inextricable link between our health, our wellbeing and humanity's life support system - Earth.A planet of once thriving ecosystems that now urgently needs each and every one of us to care for, nurture, and protect. Our health depends on it, as Dr William's convincingly argues through her book whilst reminding us all: 'If not us then who? If not now, then when? Dr Eugenie Kayak, Enterprise Professor in Sustainable Healthcare No surprise that Dr Dimity Williams brings her nurturing nature as a compassionate GP, a wonderful mother and nature lover to this honest, heartfelt and healing book. Through her scientific expertise, life experience and common sense, she doesn't sugar coat the challenges but also leaves the reader hopeful with practical solutions from making space in our lives for nature, inspiring the next generation, and even writing nature prescriptions for her patients. Immerse yourself in its pages like one of the beautiful forest baths Dr Williams describes. Dr Grant Blashki, Lead Clinical Adviser, Beyond Blue, Associate Professor in Global Health University of Melbourne With an engaging and unique blend of medical knowledge and passion for the natural world, Dr Williams reminds us we are not above nature, but that our health is intimately connected to that of the planet and all living things...and that we ignore this at our peril. Associate Professor Marion Carey, Public Health Physician Incredibly timely. This impactful book should be required reading. Dr Dimity Williams articulates everything that has been needed to be said and has been ignored for too long. We have bought into a way of living that has deteriorated our humanity which has resulted in a major health crisis. May everyone read this, leave their screens and start re-engaging with nature. Your health will thank you for it! Julie Postance, author of Breaking the Sound Barriers This book is riveting, essential reading in these times. We've lost our way in this world and lost our connection to the earth. This book is a signpost back. It highlights how imperative nature is for health, wellbeing, and healing. Humanity has spent generations moving out of nature and into technology. It's time we returned. Suze Male, writer and yoga teacher One of the first things that absolutely blew me out of the water, was the amount of research that's gone into producing this book. The sheer number of references and their diversity covering... multitudes, means there's something in this book for everyone. It should be essential reading for everyone considering the climate chaos the world is suffering. Amanda J Spedding, award-winning author and graphic novelist

""Nature, Our Medicine is a live-changing proposition. It takes us through the rapids of our high stress world to the calming balm of nature."" Dr Bob Brown ""A comprehensively researched, powerful book that will leave no reader in doubt of the inextricable link between our health, our wellbeing and humanity's life support system - Earth.A planet of once thriving ecosystems that now urgently needs each and every one of us to care for, nurture, and protect. Our health depends on it, as Dr William's convincingly argues through her book whilst reminding us all: 'If not us then who? If not now, then when?"" Dr Eugenie Kayak, Enterprise Professor in Sustainable Healthcare ""No surprise that Dr Dimity Williams brings her nurturing nature as a compassionate GP, a wonderful mother and nature lover to this honest, heartfelt and healing book. Through her scientific expertise, life experience and common sense, she doesn't sugar coat the challenges but also leaves the reader hopeful with practical solutions from making space in our lives for nature, inspiring the next generation, and even writing nature prescriptions for her patients. Immerse yourself in its pages like one of the beautiful forest baths Dr Williams describes."" Dr Grant Blashki, Lead Clinical Adviser, Beyond Blue, Associate Professor in Global Health University of Melbourne ""With an engaging and unique blend of medical knowledge and passion for the natural world, Dr Williams reminds us we are not above nature, but that our health is intimately connected to that of the planet and all living things...and that we ignore this at our peril."" Associate Professor Marion Carey, Public Health Physician ""Incredibly timely. This impactful book should be required reading. Dr Dimity Williams articulates everything that has been needed to be said and has been ignored for too long. We have bought into a way of living that has deteriorated our humanity which has resulted in a major health crisis. May everyone read this, leave their screens and start re-engaging with nature. Your health will thank you for it!"" Julie Postance, author of Breaking the Sound Barriers ""This book is riveting, essential reading in these times. We've lost our way in this world and lost our connection to the earth. This book is a signpost back. It highlights how imperative nature is for health, wellbeing, and healing. Humanity has spent generations moving out of nature and into technology. It's time we returned."" Suze Male, writer and yoga teacher ""One of the first things that absolutely blew me out of the water, was the amount of research that's gone into producing this book. The sheer number of references and their diversity covering... multitudes, means there's something in this book for everyone. It should be essential reading for everyone considering the climate chaos the world is suffering."" Amanda J Spedding, award-winning author and graphic novelist

"""Nature, Our Medicine is a live-changing proposition. It takes us through the rapids of our high stress world to the calming balm of nature."" Dr Bob Brown ""A comprehensively researched, powerful book that will leave no reader in doubt of the inextricable link between our health, our wellbeing and humanity's life support system - Earth.A planet of once thriving ecosystems that now urgently needs each and every one of us to care for, nurture, and protect. Our health depends on it, as Dr William's convincingly argues through her book whilst reminding us all: 'If not us then who? If not now, then when?"" Dr Eugenie Kayak, Enterprise Professor in Sustainable Healthcare ""No surprise that Dr Dimity Williams brings her nurturing nature as a compassionate GP, a wonderful mother and nature lover to this honest, heartfelt and healing book. Through her scientific expertise, life experience and common sense, she doesn't sugar coat the challenges but also leaves the reader hopeful with practical solutions from making space in our lives for nature, inspiring the next generation, and even writing nature prescriptions for her patients. Immerse yourself in its pages like one of the beautiful forest baths Dr Williams describes."" Dr Grant Blashki, Lead Clinical Adviser, Beyond Blue, Associate Professor in Global Health University of Melbourne ""With an engaging and unique blend of medical knowledge and passion for the natural world, Dr Williams reminds us we are not above nature, but that our health is intimately connected to that of the planet and all living things...and that we ignore this at our peril."" Associate Professor Marion Carey, Public Health Physician ""Incredibly timely. This impactful book should be required reading. Dr Dimity Williams articulates everything that has been needed to be said and has been ignored for too long. We have bought into a way of living that has deteriorated our humanity which has resulted in a major health crisis. May everyone read this, leave their screens and start re-engaging with nature. Your health will thank you for it!"" Julie Postance, author of Breaking the Sound Barriers ""This book is riveting, essential reading in these times. We've lost our way in this world and lost our connection to the earth. This book is a signpost back. It highlights how imperative nature is for health, wellbeing, and healing. Humanity has spent generations moving out of nature and into technology. It's time we returned."" Suze Male, writer and yoga teacher ""One of the first things that absolutely blew me out of the water, was the amount of research that's gone into producing this book. The sheer number of references and their diversity covering... multitudes, means there's something in this book for everyone. It should be essential reading for everyone considering the climate chaos the world is suffering."" Amanda J Spedding, award-winning author and graphic novelist"

Author Information

Dr Dimity Williams is a mother, nature lover, and family doctor. Following her medical degree, she completed further training to becomea fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. She has worked as a Family Physician for 25 years in inner Melbourne on Wurundjeri Country, and enjoys looking after the whole person from pre-conception to old age. Dimity has completed additional trainingin obstetrics, paediatrics and mental health, particularly mindfulness meditation.She has worked in environmental advocacy with multiple organisations from grassroots community groups to large associations. Dimity is analumna of the Centre for Sustainability Leadership, a co-founder of the Kids In Nature Network, and founder of Doctors for the EnvironmentAustralia's Biodiversity Special Interest Group. Passionate about integrating nature into healthcare, she has written and spoken aboutthe 'nature: health interface' in various forums and delights in issuing nature prescriptions. A wish for all children to have every opportunityto experience, love and look after nature guides her.

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