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The 3-Day Effect

By: Florence Williams
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  • Summary

  • The 3-Day Effect is a look at the science behind why being in the wild for a minimum of three days can make us happier, healthier and more creative. Whether it's rafting down Utah's Green River, backpacking in Colorado wilderness or strolling through Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., scientists are finding that immersions in nature can reduce anxiety, enhance creativity and boost overall well-being.

    Join science journalist Florence Williams in an immersive audio exploration of the mind and outdoors in six chapters following former Iraqi war veterans, sex trafficking survivors, and even a bookish nature hater journeying to the wild. Meet the innovative field researchers working to strengthen the science for a nature cure through real-time physiological, psychological and cognitive measures over three days outside.

    When you add The 3-Day Effect to your library you will receive all 6 episodes, each with a runtime of approximately 25 minutes. To hear more great podcasts and short listens, visit Audible.com/AudioShows.

    ©2018 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC
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Episodes
  • Ep. 1: A Wild Antidote
    Sep 27 2018

    David Strayer, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Utah, noticed he gets his best ideas when he’s in the wilderness for three days, so he decided to study what he calls the Three Day Effect. Florence Williams, author of The Nature Fix, takes him on a hike to learn more about what this research shows. She meets up with others who we’ll be following in this series, including veteran and activist Stacy Bare and writer Eric Weiner, who would much rather be darting in and out of cafes than river canyons. Florence, herself going through a divorce, signs on for a three-day research trip in the wilderness, hoping the emotional benefits will rub off.

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    21 mins
  • Ep. 2: Floating Through PTSD
    Sep 27 2018

    Can three days on a wild river help cure veterans with PTSD? In this chapter, Florence Williams alights on Utah's Green River with a group of veterans and the scientists who are studying their brains outside, including Stacy Bare from chapter one and researchers from the lab of David Strayer, cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Utah. Florence and the veterans talk about trauma and resilience while rafting, hiking and undergoing a series of experiments. They look at their brain waves over time and also test their cognitive performance.

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    28 mins
  • Ep. 3: A Place of Comfort
    Sep 27 2018
    What if a lot of what we’ve heard about wilderness therapy is wrong? That it shouldn’t be about finding oneself through hardship and challenge, but about finding a place of comfort instead? Florence goes backpacking in Colorado with an all-women’s group of sex-trafficking survivors through She Is Able, a nonprofit based in Atlanta, Georgia. The women and their guides, along with therapists who specialize in trauma and wilderness therapy, upend everything she thought she knew.
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    35 mins

What listeners say about The 3-Day Effect

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Great mental refresh read

I've been working long hrs at work like a crazy person, and I scheduled time out of my day tomorrow to go walking outside ( ps it's cold and that's not my thing)!! lol

Story felt more like a documentary but I enjoyed the different stories within the book and the overall journey to mental refreshment. Thanks for sharing with us!

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If only it was this easy. . .

This is a well-researched title and totally reaffirmed my faith in the restorative powers of nature. If only it were simple enough to break away and if only there were more guide companies to offer this service. I tried to look up the ones listed in the book but did not find any of them.

One of the issues with being a woman and wanting to hike alone is the safety factor. If anyone knows of any companies that offer this service, let me know. Maybe I'll have to start one.

Good listen and even better medicine for everyone to follow.

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4 people found this helpful

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Just great

totally recommended, I really enjoyed it from the beginning to the end, the mix of the sounds and the conversations makes this podcast the best I ever heard, please give it a try, Im shure you are not going to regret it.

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Amazing

The scientific proof here is incredible! I enjoyed this book very much and have used it and shared it’s information.

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Incredible content

This was an enjoyable listen. The science is there, and Me. Williams did a great job of presenting it. If you aren’t thinking of more ways to spend time outside then you didn’t pay attention, listen to it again.

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5 people found this helpful

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Enjoyed this!

I love the outdoors, and as a STEM student, I love the research & data tid bits. This was informative and inspiring. Now I understand why I feel amazing after being in nature and how nature affects the mind & body.

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Nature is AWEsome

Reminded me of Wild (Cheryl Strayed story of hiking the PCT), but with Science along for the ride. If you weren’t sure why you felt better after a camping trip, a weekend hike, or even a morning walk, this series will answer your question. Authentically & vulnerably narrated with life stories to connect to everyone.

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1 person found this helpful

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I want to go outside...right now!

The stories being told were more moving than the woven-in story of the author/narrator. (No offense intended.) However, the fact that she was going through a major life change is what fueled her passion for the project.
While I found the study of the effect of nature interesting, as is pointed out several times, the sample size is small. So, if you are looking for definitive scientific proof, this isn't that. What it IS is entertaining and motivating. Motivating to change your norm, help your brain rewire itself, slow down, be grateful.
The storyline is structured well and an easy listen. I would recommend.

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10/10; Would Reccomend

This is a great podcast for anyone like myself who is feeling depressed and groggy and is wanting to find a realistic way of combatting all that naturally to be more at peace with oneself and life.

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Affirming

Loved this. Made me curious about the data and how to include this in my life and my therapy practice.

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