Nature is rising in importance and relevance in the post-pandemic era.
Once more, we are devoting space to it, as research and commercial interest in the broad field of nature are “exploding.” Almost every day, a new research paper or article expands on the vital importance that nature plays with respect to our physical and mental wellbeing. At this rate, increasing the nature immersion experience will soon become a wellness imperative!
According to a professor of environmental science at Stanford: “The physical and emotional toll the virus has taken, especially in urban areas with little green space, has galvanized doctors, researchers and others to tap into nature’s therapeutic effects.” This amazing wellness tool is at our disposal almost everywhere and for free, but the commercial sector is now looking at ways to monetize nature—another brick in the wellness edifice.
As it did for mental health a few years ago, we think that technology will soon harness the power of nature for cash returns. NatureQuant offers such an example. The start-up (using Big Data and machine learning) provides a series of tools to monitor, quantify and evaluate natural elements and exposure to nature through an app, allowing users to track the time they spend in nature much like they count steps. The app delivers a “NatureScore” to users that maximizes the health benefits of nature exposure and a “NatureDose,” a weekly prescription of 120 minutes of time-in-nature. Many more moves will follow.
Interesting app, worth checking out!
I think nature has always been a great therapist for us, but in the last year of restriction and limitation, it has only risen in value.