Reconnect with what truly heals: lifestyle choices and the great outdoors
In a world filled with chronic stress, preventable disease, and digital overload, many of us are searching for a more sustainable path to well-being. Doctor Outdoors’ Guide to Nature and Lifestyle Medicine is your invitation to rediscover vitality, purpose, and balance through the powerful integration of daily habits and time in nature.
Written by Dr. Melissa Sundermann, a double board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine and a recognized leader in the field, this book blends science, storytelling, and real-life strategies to help you take ownership of your health and cultivate resilience across the lifespan.
With over 25 years of clinical experience—and as a 12-time Boston Marathon finisher and 3- time Ironman triathlete—Dr. Sundermann brings both professional insight and lived experience to the page. She also leads national and global efforts to advance Lifestyle Medicine and nature-based healing as Founding Chair of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine “Nature as Medicine” committee and Chair of the Global Wellness Institute’s Lifestyle Medicine Initiative.
Grounded in the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine—healthful nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, meaningful social connection, and a strong sense of purpose—this book shows how nature enhances each pillar. Through forest bathing, outdoor movement, seasonal rituals, and nature-based self-care, you’ll learn how to optimize your healthspan and support healthy aging in an accessible, enjoyable way.
Inside, you’ll discover:
- How green and blue spaces support brain health, reduce stress, and improve cardiovascular well-being
- Why time in nature improves mood, motivation, immune function, and sleep
- Practical tools to prevent or reverse chronic disease through evidence-based lifestyle choices
- Strategies to foster mind-body connection, emotional balance, and resilience
- Simple outdoor rituals to bring purpose, calm, and joy into your daily life
Whether you're a wellness seeker, healthcare provider, or someone simply ready for a reset, Doctor Outdoors’ Guide to Nature and Lifestyle Medicine offers more than a prescription—it’s a path to natural healing, longevity, and lasting vitality.
Live well. Age strong. Thrive outdoors.
