Science of Health & Nature Walking Tour

The Science of Health & Nature Walking Tour is a collaboration between the Houston Botanic Garden, Texan By Nature, Houston Methodist and the Center for Health and Nature. Developed by Houston Methodist clinicians, conservationists from Texan By Nature, and researchers from the Center for Health and Nature, the tour emphasizes the scientific relationship between nature and health.

About the Speakers

Jay Maddock, PhD

Jay Maddock is a regents professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the School of Public Health at Texas A&M University. He is the Director of the Center for Health & Nature. His research interests center on the effect of the natural and build environment on health.

Jason Fischer, MBA

Jason Fischer serves as the Director of the Office of Sustainability at Houston Methodist. With a mission to promote the responsible use of resources for conservation, thereby protecting well-being through environmental, community, and economic health. It is the Office’s vision to contribute to the continuum of whole patient care including medically, spiritually, culturally, artistically and environmentally.

Renee Stubbins, PhD

Renee Stubbins is an Assistant Professor of Nutritional Sciences in Oncology and a senior research oncology dietitian at Houston Methodist. Her research interests include horticultural therapy.

Ria Krishna, BS, CWC

Ria Krishna is a manager in Corporate Wellness at Houston Methodist with more than 15 years of experience in the wellness industry. With a degree in Food and Nutrition Science, Ria began her career as a health and wellness practitioner, where she spent seven years working directly with individuals to improve their well-being. Driven by a passion for lifestyle medicine and operational excellence, Ria transitioned into wellness operations management. She now leads a mobile team of wellness experts, delivering innovative wellness solutions that focus on lifestyle modification and holistic health improvement for both individuals and organizations. Her work helps foster healthier, more productive workplaces and communities through tailored wellness strategies.

Caitlin Tran, BS

Caitlin Tran joined the Texan by Nature team as a program manager in 2022. Caitlin works to amplify and accelerate conservation in Texas through TxN’s Conservation Wrangler programs, Business Member projects, and Return on ConservationTM. Caitlin utilizes her engineering background to support and manage projects to amplify the TxN mission of positively impacting people, prosperity, and natural resources.

Rebecca Brossoit, PhD

Rebecca Brossoit is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Rice University and leads the Sleep and Nature for Employee Well-Being and Success Lab. Dr. Brossoit’s applied research focuses on employee sleep, the influence of the built and natural environment on employee health and work-related outcomes, and workplace interventions that support employees’ lives at and outside of work.

Videos

Nature and Health

People are meant to be connected to nature, says Jay Maddock, PhD, professor and Director of the Center for Health & Nature. Just a short dose of being in nature can have positive effects on our wellbeing, both physically and mentally.

Speaker: Jay Maddock, PhD

Green exercise and walking

Modern conveniences have engineered physical activity out of everyday life. Living without movement is essential for health. Being purposeful and walking, especially in nature, offers double benefits, says Jay Maddock, PhD, professor and Director of the Center for Health & Nature.

Speaker: Jay Maddock, PhD

ADHD in Children

Spending time in nature is critical to children. An hour a day is what’s recommended, says Jay Maddock, PhD, professor and Director of the Center for Health & Nature, for reduction of ADHD symptoms as well as for physical and mental improvement. Follow your doctor’s orders and add some time outdoors as well.

Speaker: Jay Maddock, PhD

Sustainability and Health

Do you know where your food comes from? Jason Fischer, MBA, the Director of Sustainability at Houston Methodist, explains why knowing this is important. Travel time affects the nutrients in foods as well as impacting the world around us.

Speaker: Jay Fischer, MBA

Gardening effects on cancer patients

Nature has healing properties, according to studies, and gardening is very rewarding, says Renee Stubbins, PhD, Assistant Professor of Nutritional Sciences in Oncology and a senior research oncology dietitian at Houston Methodist. Start your garden today.

Speaker: Renee Stubbins, PhD

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are chemical compounds found in fruits and vegetables that boost our immunity. Dietitians recommend we eat a rainbow of colors, says Ria Krishna, BS, CWC, at Houston Methodist. Fruits and vegetables should be incorporated at every meal.

Speaker: Ria Krishna, BS, CWC

Time for tea

Speaker: Ria Krishna, BS, CWC

Bananas, the perfect snack

Bananas are a prebiotic and provide us a great source of carbohydrates, as well as a great source of potassium, says Ria Krishna, BS, CWC, at Houston Methodist.

Speaker: Ria Krishna, BS, CWC

Conservation

Conservation is the act of protecting Earth’s natural resources for future generations, says Caitlin Tran, BS, program manager at Texan by Nature. The amount we consume causes a negative environmental impact, and human health suffers as a result. But there are things we can do to alter this course.

Speaker: Caitlin Tran, BS

The Psychological Benefits of Nature

Stress is part of the human experience, but when it is prolonged, it can become destructive. Research shows nature can improve this condition. Spending more times outdoors is something we can incororate into our lives to help alleviate stress levels, says Rebecca Brossoit, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Rice University and leads the Sleep and Nature for Employee Well-Being and Success Lab.

Speaker: Rebecca Brossoit, PhD