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The 3-Day Effect

Written 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

    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
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  • Ep. 2: Floating Through PTSD

    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
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  • Ep. 3: A Place of Comfort

    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
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Psychology Mental Health
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Profile Image for Mahsana

war talk!

I'm Iranian and seen war. there is too much talk about soldiers who were in Iran golf or Iraq and seen trauma. I was one of those who were left behind the war. The difference is that I was in my country , living with my freinds and family...seen or hearing American's who were there to kill us and now they experience trouma is ironic

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8 people found this helpful

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  • B
  • 2019-12-02

so what's the enlightening message at the end?

This series is very well delivered. if you are looking for a light listen during daily dog walks, this fits the bill. I did tune out during the city man episode. And since the narrator kept hinting at the important message at the end of the series, I skipped to listen to the last episode at that point and didn't find the promised enlightening message. The Awe factor? was that it? In any case, this would make a great 15 minutes Ted talk.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A must read for anyone struggling with mental heal

This is a great reminder of how important movement and nature are for mental health! Her voice is soothing and thoughtful

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3 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Loved it!

Really great listen. I cried several times while listening to the individual stories of people using the outdoors/nature to overcome trauma. And I can attest to the fact that being outside in nature really helps my anxiety.

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You want to know how to be awesome? listen!

This audible podcast will help a lot of people. The study here is not new, we have always knew that nature will somehow help us recover and be grounded but the biggest difference is that this podcast is back up by scientific data with interpretations from neuroscientist. Keep it up!

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Encouragement

Loved it, a very inspiring and beautiful stories of resilience and triumph from various forms of struggles. It is amazing how nature can "ground" you and improve your mood naturally. The narrators perspective as well as those involved on the 3 day effect were inspiring and interesting. Would recommend this and already have recommended this to friends and family.

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Nature Heals

Great book! I highly recommend this. Its stuff we already know but it's presented in a way that is easy to digest.

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Motivating

I've never been so motivated to get outdoors and just slow down and be in awe. Florence did a great job and I loved this!

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not what I came for

was originally really put off by a overly graphic description from the first episode. after finishing it, I'd say it was pretty good. more about therapy than nature though.

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Inspired

Love it. So inspired by this read. Definitely recommended. The narration was fabulous and the whole short was amazing

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  • B.A. Lopez
  • 2020-11-08

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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  • Admiralu
  • 2020-10-16

Lopsided View of Nature

This was a show about how nature can nurture. Veterans, women who suffered abuse and others are taken on three day camping trips. Scientists run tests to see if the effect actually works. While this is all well and good, the author needs to cover the downsides as well. Such as how many people go missing in the wild and other dangers most people don't hear about. I just completed a fascinating book by an author named Steve Israel, a veteran guide, hunter and outdoor enthusiast who wrote about his experiences and those of many others who encountered cry pride in the wild. The book is filled with reports from military vets, law enforcement officers, guides and park rangers, people who spend far more time, years for most and have far more knowledge about the wild and our place in nature. We are not top of the food chain out in the woods or desert. You can die in the wild. There have been a number of hikers who have gone missing or died unexpectedly this year. The Death in the parks books are eye openers. Irresponsible not to mention other more disturbing dangers.

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  • BJ Peace
  • 2020-09-12

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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  • Laura Costa
  • 2020-09-13

Makes me want to get outside more!

I am not a big fan of camping but this was a cool listen that encouraged me to explore and get outdoors more. It makes me want to go to Utah and river raft. There were mentions of Salt Lake City Park and Green River Park. There also was a hiking trail that sounded very interesting... the Mansard Trail which is also in Utah. Since I will be visiting Utah very much over the next year or so...I now have some places to visit!

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  • Justin W.
  • 2021-05-16

Painful Overstatement of the Obvious

If you've become so detached from your true self, that you need to be reminded of such a concept.... you'll likely need more than 3 days. It's saddening to think that the majority of human beings see the natural world as a place to be visited. When in actuality, it's where we're truely at home.

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  • Myname
  • 2022-01-27

Nature data

I enjoyed the last episode of the this series glad to be listening the final episode

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  • Sarah Whitten
  • 2021-12-12

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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  • Kerry
  • 2021-12-11

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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  • Nichele
  • 2021-07-28

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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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2021-07-18

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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