Going Outside Can Change Our Hormones and Improve Microbiome Diversity

This podcast dives into how plants influence our health and well-being, featuring Kathy Willis, the author of "Good Nature." In the interview, they discuss how our senses—sight, sound, smell, and touch—and the gut microbiome, shaped by plant diversity around us, can impact our nervous and hormonal systems, ultimately promoting relaxation and reducing stress. Willis shares research indicating that patients with views of nature recover from surgery more quickly and that exposure to biodiverse environments can lower inflammation. She offers practical tips, like bringing plants indoors, changing our routes to include green spaces, and using aromatherapy with relaxing scents like lavender or invigorating ones like rosemary. The podcast wraps up by emphasizing the need for more research to understand the effectiveness and cost benefits of nature-based health interventions.