The Healing Power of Nature: The Osher Center for Integrative Health at UC teams up with the The Cincinnati Parks Foundation

CINCINNATI, OHIO (August 1, 2023) The Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Parks Foundation are teaming up to provide Cincinnatians with the opportunity to harness the healing power of nature.

Research has shown that spending time in nature offers numerous health benefits. Being surrounded by nature can help reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, enhance immune system function, and boost self-esteem and mood. People living with chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, depression, and anxiety, as well as those pre- and post-surgery, have been shown to have improved health outcomes when spending time in nature.

The Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Cincinnati (Osher Center) and the Cincinnati Parks Foundation (CPF) are on a mission to provide Cincinnatians with opportunities to harness the healing power of nature. The first opportunity is on Thursday, September 7 from 4-7 p.m. for An Evening of Wellness in Nature at Ault Park. This evening wellness retreat combines physical activity, social interaction, exposure to nature, and sunlight to help you harness the healing power of nature and invest in your well-being through a range of experiential sessions led by Osher Center practitioners including yoga, tai chi, mindful walking, and sound immersion. The event will conclude with a light picnic dinner surrounded by the beauty and nature of Ault Park.

The need for increased community access to wellness opportunities is clear.  According to the CDC, more than one-third of Cincinnatians are obese or have hypertension and 31.8% of Cincinnati adults report having no physical activity in their daily life.  City of Cincinnati residents have comparatively higher rates of poor mental health than in other counties in Ohio and the rest of the country.

“Our goal is to transform the healthcare system from solely focusing on treating illness and disease, to one that also prioritizes prevention, self-care, and wellness,” says Sian Cotton, PhD, founding director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Cincinnati. “This event offers the perfect combination of movement, mindfulness, social connection, and the healing power of nature - all in one beautiful evening at Ault Park.”

Cincinnati is perfectly poised for this initiative, with a wealth of public parks overseen by a park system rated 5^th in the country and top in Ohio. Through this collaboration, the Osher Center and CPF will provide innovative, evidence-based care and a deeper connection to our local natural world and the communities in which they live and work.

“From what we have witnessed through our programs and projects in Cincinnati Parks, time spent in nature is not just leisure but also an investment in better health. Our parks and greenspaces provide more than scenic beauty, but also an opportunity for rejuvenation, physical activity, and mental well-being,” says Jennifer Hafner Spieser, Executive Director of the Cincinnati Parks Foundation. “This partnership with the Osher Center will help gather critical data on why our parks are vital to community health and will reinforce our mission to make them welcoming and accessible to everyone in our community.”

LEARN MORE & REGISTER: An Evening of Wellness in Nature Ault Park

ABOUT CINCINNATI PARKS FOUNDATION: The Cincinnati Parks Foundation, the philanthropic partner to Cincinnati Parks, is dedicated to preserving and enhancing Cincinnati’s parks and greenspaces for all to enjoy. The Foundation works to raise funds, advocate for the parks, and support innovative programs that connect people to nature and promote a healthy and active lifestyle. To learn more about the projects and programs, please visit cincinnatiparksfoundation.org.

ABOUT THE OSHER CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE HEALTH: The Osher Center for Integrative Health is changing health outcomes in Cincinnati by empowering patients take control of their health through preventative, integrative therapies at UC Health, training students and healthcare professionals at the UC College of Medicine, and engaging the community through lifestyle medicine and integrative health programs and events. Learn more about the Osher Center for Integrative Health.