Abstract

Can owning a goldfish really make you a happier person? Do views of nature while in prison really reduce repeat offences? When you think of somewhere relaxing and calming, is it somewhere natural? Ever wondered why so many people escape the city on the weekends? Until very recently in our evolutionary history, humans had constant contact with nature. Studies from around the world confirm that interaction with nature (plants, animals, landscapes and wilderness) notably affects our physical and emotional well-being. this talk will discuss theories surrounding our innate connectedness to nature, and how nature based therapy is being applied in multiple forms in the Western World.

Tiffany is a world travelling Aussie, who is currently calling Cambridge home. She has travelled to 44 countries, many in the developing world. Her travels have instilled a strong interest in all things ‘global’, which has culminated in the study of several degrees in the Humanities field. She grew up on a farm and has a passion for all things natural. She is currently researching the potential use of nature as method of improving psychological and emotional well-being in post-conflict and reconstruction communities.