The Nature Fix

Florence Williams travels all around the world to explore the science behind the positive effects of nature on people. You can't read this book without being amazed at the many ways being in nature has a strong positive effect on humans. Nothing is presented as opinion; all the information in the book is backed by extensive scientific studies.

I've been kind of slacking on the nonfiction front lately, but this book was just what I needed to give me a push. Williams has such a great approach to her work, integrating personal anecdotes without coming across as patronizing or silly. The book takes you to Japan and South Korea to Scotland and D.C., exploring the research around nature's impact on our happiness and health. Since I've made hiking a regular weekend activity, I've noticed the silent benefits of time outdoors – better sleep, more energy, a friendlier attitude. It's a nice way to offset my hectic commute and scramble to get going on weekdays.

2018 reread: Bumping this up to 5 stars. This book is wonderful, and I gleaned new things from it upon a second read.

Honestly, if all this book accomplished was getting me outside for a walk, it did its job. The author presents a range of research and experiments, introducing various benefits of various ‘doses' of nature, while being careful to be skeptical of “emerging evidence”. What few science/sociology/psychology based non-fiction books I've read lead me to reserve judgement as there's just as much chance that further research will complicate with nuance, debunk or hopefully verify what is set out in works like this, as the years pass (this one is from 2017). I enjoyed the conversational tone, though at times it did make it feel like a series of magazine article interviews rather than a book (pro or con?). As with most non-fiction I read, I'm glad it exists for the ideas it suggests and the possible plans for the future it lays out in its conclusion. My rural childhood had me convinced long ago of the benefits of nature, but in a hectic work period, when I forget to go out and enjoy my now slightly less urban neighborhood, this was an excellent reminder. 
⚠️Mention of SA, language can be just slightly behind the times: ‘obesity epidemic' and ‘risk of autism'