As hundreds of peonies reached peak bloom in Nichols Arboretum in early June, University of Michigan faculty, staff and students gathered among the flowers for something more than just a garden visit.
Participants in the Breath of Fresh Air Guided Nature Experience were filling their “prescription” from the university’s Nature Rx initiative. The outing gave participants a chance to slow down, practice mindfulness and learn ways to use nature as a tool for managing stress and supporting well-being.
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
- A Breath of Fresh Air was part of the wellness event Take a Pause for Well-Being, offered through Experience Rx: Social Prescribing at Michigan. Event partners and sponsors include Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, the Arts Initiative, Arts Rx, Experience Rx, Gifts of Art, MDining, MHealthy, Nature Rx, Well-Being Collective and Wolverine Wellness.
The Arb’s W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden is an ideal venue to implement research findings that link time in nature to reduced anxiety, improved attention span and cognitive restoration, said Katie Stannard, behavioral health project coordinator in U-M’s Health and Well-Being Services. She is project lead for Nature Rx, which is offered alongside non-nature-related mental health and wellness services from University Human Resources.
“We believe nature can heal,” Stannard said, “which highlights opportunities to spend time outdoors and promotes the scientific evidence for nature’s many benefits.”
A multidisciplinary team of volunteers leads Nature Rx; representatives come from Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, Michigan Medicine, Information and Technology Services, the Office of Campus Sustainability & Innovation, the Graham Sustainability Institute, LSA Sustainability, Michigan Recreation, MHealthy, the School of Dentistry and other campus units.
Planting seeds
A Breath of Fresh Air grew from an idea developed in 2020. Kelcey Stratton, chief behavioral health strategist at UHR, sought to encourage employees to take restorative breaks outdoors during the workday. After a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program launched in May 2024.
NATURE RX
- The Nature Rx website and app offer research-based activities that support social connection, mental health, and emotional and physical health. Teams and individuals are encouraged to explore the Nature Break Invitation for ideas, or as an opportunity for a group activity.
Since then, more than 600 faculty, staff and students have participated in public and customized sessions, Stannard said.
These guided nature experiences are among the many services provided by UHR’s Health and Well-Being Services, and are aligned with universitywide efforts to support the well-being of the U-M community. The upcoming theme year for the Look to Michigan vision campaign is the Year of Human Health and Well-Being.
MHealthy offers a variety of health and well-being programs and services to faculty and staff, with resources for a whole-person approach to well-being. Mental health support and resources are provided by the Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience for Michigan Medicine and the Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office for the Ann Arbor, Flint and Dearborn campuses.
Peak performance
The peony garden was selected for A Breath of Fresh Air because of MBGNA’s longstanding commitment to fostering well-being through meaningful experiences in nature and its reputation as one of the university’s most recognizable outdoor spaces, said Stannard.
“We were trying to align with the peony bloom time because it’s a familiar, beautiful awe-inspiring space,” she said.
For Stephen M. Ross School of Business staff member Allison Uy, the event combined two things she already enjoys: visiting the peony garden and spending time outdoors. She also attended a Nature Rx event in a different campus location, one she had previously overlooked.
“I like to check in with myself,” Uy said. “If I feel myself getting activated or a little stressed, that’s usually my cue to step away, take a breath, and try to reset. Nature Rx is a great reminder both to do so and how.”
While the thousands of peony blooms may only last a few weeks each spring, organizers hope participants leave the garden with practices they can use year-round.
“Spending time in natural locations provides an opportunity to pause and restore—an opportunity to take a break from busy work schedules, and a break from screens,” Stannard said.
Even small moments in nature can make a difference, she said, whether that’s stepping outside for a few minutes, sitting near a window or taking a mindful pause during the day.
As participants wrapped up the session and returned indoors, Uy offered her summary of Nature Rx and the peak bloom experience.
“Absolutely beautiful,” she said, “Please come.”
