Connect - Dr John La Puma

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John La Puma MD: Internist, Author, Chef, Organic Farmer.

Nature-based medicine blends a particular activity

Nature-based medicine blends a particular activity in nature with the science of medicine to attempt to empower self-care safely, effectively, and happily. Its vision is to be readily available to all, regardless of proximity to blue (water-related) or green (land-related) space.

This is an excerpt from a recent research article I wrote–on the growing scientific evidence base on nature-based medicine.

Want to learn more? Explore the evidence with me.

DM or comment for the link to this study.

Rumination is the kind of self-obsessing, blaming

Rumination is the kind of self-obsessing, blaming feeling that we sometimes get when things are going right.

It’s been shown that nature exposure for as little as 30 minutes has, by MRI scans to the brain, reduced blood flow to the area of the brain responsible for rumination.

By being outside, you actually develop flow and a better mental state.

How will you spend time outside this week?

So often, people think they have to be an expert h

So often, people think they have to be an expert hiker or gardener to truly enjoy the outdoors.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.

When I started gardening, I couldn’t grow anything. But I still received the peace and health benefits of time spent outside.

The secret to appreciating nature doesn’t come with a certain expertise, but with the ability to be fully present in your surroundings.

When was the last time you felt present in nature?

One of the best things you can do for yourself is

One of the best things you can do for yourself is spend extra time in nature.

This doesn’t have to look like starting a farm or going on a week-long hike (though it could).

It could also look like taking your dog for a walk or looking out the window when you’re feeling stressed.

Studies have shown even looking at nature has amazing benefits for mental fitness!

What is one of your favorite ways to spend time in nature?

Nutrition can be confusing. Apparently fats are b

Nutrition can be confusing.

Apparently fats are bad, but some are good, and carbs are terrible for you except when they’re not — so how are we supposed to know what’s what?

The good news is there’s long-standing wisdom backed by science that just about anyone can follow.

Read my guide to healthy carbs and fat to make sure you’re getting the right kinds. DM or comment for the link to the guide!

What is one of your favorite healthy foods to add to your plate?

You don’t need to uproot your life to find peace

You don’t need to uproot your life to find peace.

You don’t need to become a vegan with the best garden in your state.

I’ve talked to thousands of people about the impact food and nature could have on their life and the most frequent concern I hear is, “Oh. I’m not the type of person.”

But there is no “type” of person who can reap the health benefits of nature.

Nature therapies can be customized to fit any lifestyle.

Short on time? Replace Netflix and chill with nature and chill.

Live in a city? There’s still scientific benefits to walks in urban areas.

Too stressed to take on an hour long workout routine? Try a small practice, like spending time outside everyday to start.

How can you fit the power of nature into your everyday life?

There’s always something else to do. Each time

There’s always something else to do.

Each time we cross something off our to-do list, three things sprout up in its place.

With the transition to remote work, our jobs never leave us--the emails are constantly buzzing, and there’s few excuses to evade a zoom meeting. Where we live, eat, and sleep is the same as where we work.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

It’s great to respond to the emails quickly or to work extra hours, but when was the last time you devoted extra hours to your health?

And that doesn’t have to look like going to the gym and drinking supplements.

Devoting an extra hour to your health can look like buying a plant for your kitchen or walking the dog.

When was the last time you treated yourself to your favorite nature activity?

Have trouble exercising consistently? Try getting

Have trouble exercising consistently? Try getting outside.

Exercising outdoors has so many added benefits, especially for mental fitness. Due to the mood improvement and release of serotonin, exercising outside creates more positive associations with workouts than exercising inside.

Basically, if you do the same workout inside and outside, you’ll have more fun doing it outside!

Happy Labor Day from La Puma Farms! Here, we spent

Happy Labor Day from La Puma Farms! Here, we spent a good portion of the weekend tending to the garden, going on long walks in nature, and appreciating the beauty of the natural world. What did you get up to this weekend?

Any good gardener knows that reflecting on the pas

Any good gardener knows that reflecting on the past growing season and planning ahead are two key elements to a fruitful garden.

And your life is just like a garden–you can grow more when you reflect on the past and plan ahead. Conveniently, the end of the month provides a nice break to reflect and redirect as needed.

One question I ask myself each month is how much time did I spend outside this month?

After reflecting on that answer, I search for opportunities in the upcoming month to spend more time in nature, whether that looks like planning a weekend trip to the beach or simply scheduling a walk on Saturday mornings.

Let me know how much time you spent outside in June and how you plan to spend as much time or more in nature in September.

Nature heals. Period. Curious to learn more about

Nature heals. Period.

Curious to learn more about how gardens in particular can reenergize and recenter you? Download the essay I recently wrote for Lotusland on the Healing Power of Nature.

*The mindset shift needed to live a healthy life*

*The mindset shift needed to live a healthy life*

Anyone can diet or go to the gym for a week or two, but want to know the secret behind making healthy habits stick?

Reframe your mindset.

Instead of thinking of working out or spending time in nature as something you should do, think of it as something you get to do.

Instead of guilting yourself into eating healthy or doing breathwork and thinking up the negatives if you don’t do it, think of the positive benefits these practices give you.

Using nature and food as medicine shouldn’t be a punishment for bad behavior, but a way to empower yourself to be your best.

Is gardening really good for your health? After al

Is gardening really good for your health? After all, it’s just digging around in the soil and trying not to kill plants.

Well, the answer is in..Gardening is extremely beneficial to your overall health!

It’s great for those with dementia, reduces stress, and anxiety, and makes it easier to eat healthy.

Along with those benefits, it also improves:
-appetite
-blood pressure
-focus
-verbal expression
-sleep
-mood
-memory
-strength, agility and balance

Do you garden? If so, what are you currently growing?

When was the last time you disconnected from the d

When was the last time you disconnected from the digital world and reconnected with nature?

Nature provides peace, health, and mental well-being. Spending time outside can prevent chronic conditions, like heart disease and diabetes. Yet we spend more time online than in our gardens, backyards, and local parks.

If you’re ready to change this pattern, commit to ten minutes outside this week. In the grand scheme of your day, ten minutes is nothing but for your overall health, it could be a lifesaver.

How will you spend ten minutes outside today?

Do you have a nature spot where you feel happiest?

Do you have a nature spot where you feel happiest?

For me, it’s my garden. Some of my friends feel called to beaches, forests, mountains, and other nature spots. Most likely, a place in nature came to your mind too when I asked that question.

This spot is your comfort nature and to experience more health, happiness, and peace, you should try to visit your comfort nature place as often as possible.

Comment what your spot is and I’ll reply with an easy way to visit your comfort nature spot this week!

Nature is all around us. Do you agree? Follow @j

Nature is all around us. Do you agree?

Follow @johnlapuma for more on nature as medicine.

#natureasmedicine #natureasmedicine☀️ #natureheals

When we think of being healthy, we often conjure u

When we think of being healthy, we often conjure up images of marathon runners and flavorless diets. Society’s version of “being healthy” requires sacrifice and to be honest, it doesn’t sound fun.

What if you could be healthy and NOT hate your life?

Throughout my career, I’ve discussed the power of small, incremental changes to diet and movement. Small swaps on your plate can make you healthier than before. Spending five more minutes in nature than yesterday can have a big impact on your mental health. Both of these are fun additions, not sacrifices.

To help you stay healthy the fun way, I created a free handout on the seventeen most impactful culinary medicine guidelines. Each guideline adds flavor AND health to your life.

Download the guide for free at the link in bio.

Nature-based medicine blends a particular activity

Nature-based medicine blends a particular activity in nature with the science of medicine to attempt to empower self-care safely, effectively, and happily.

Its vision is to be readily available to all, regardless of proximity to blue (water-related) or green (land-related) space.

This is an excerpt from a recent research article I wrote–on the growing scientific evidence base on nature-based medicine. Want to learn more? Explore the evidence with me: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15598276221148395

Marinated meat = healthier. Not sure which marin

Marinated meat = healthier.

Not sure which marinade to use? Try one with Rosemary.

Follow @johnlapuma for more healthy eating tips and ways to use nature as medicine.

#healthyeating #healthyeats #healthymeat #healthyhacks #healthhacks

Whether you’re into culinary medicine or nature

Whether you’re into culinary medicine or nature as medicine (or both!), we can all appreciate a good garden. La Puma Farms is just that–a haven for food and nature lovers.

Here’s some shots of life on the farm recently. There’s always time to appreciate the nature around us.

Do you have a garden at home? If so, what are you currently growing?

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This is the BEST time to go outside. 🌳 Try it! #mynaturedose #nature #health #ReTokforNature #outdoors
♬ Chill Vibes - Tollan Kim