{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"081: Benefits of Nature for Mental Health","description":"Guest: Stephanie Fisher, MHC, LPC  In this episode of Helping Kids Thrive, presented by Huddle Up (formerly Dot Com Therapy), host Nicole, a speech language pathologist and mother of four, speaks with Stephanie Fisher, a licensed professional counselor, EMT, volunteer firefighter, and therapeutic ranch owner. They dive into the profound mental health benefits of nature and animal-assisted therapy. Stephanie shares insights from her therapeutic ranch experience, emphasizing how spending time outdoors can improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance mood. They discuss practical ways for families and educators to incorporate nature into daily routines, highlighting the importance of vitamin D, serotonin, and melatonin. The episode also explores creative, inclusive methods for experiencing nature, from urban ecotherapy and outdoor exercise to bringing nature indoors with plants and aquariums. &amp;nbsp;  00:00&amp;nbsp;Introduction to Huddle Up and Podcast Overview 00:47&amp;nbsp;Meet Stephanie Fisher: Licensed Professional Counselor 01:35&amp;nbsp;The Therapeutic Ranch: Animal-Assisted Therapy 03:21&amp;nbsp;Benefits of Nature for Mental Health 05:23&amp;nbsp;The Role of Vitamin D and Sunlight 10:06&amp;nbsp;Incorporating Nature into Daily Life 18:03&amp;nbsp;Practical Tips for Parents and Teachers 21:39&amp;nbsp;Bringing Nature Indoors 24:36&amp;nbsp;Conclusion: The Profound Impact of Nature    &amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp; ","author_name":"Helping Kids Thrive","author_url":"http:\/\/www.huddleupcare.com","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/26953701\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/26953701"}