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The 3-Day Effect  By  cover art

The 3-Day Effect

By: Florence Williams
Narrated by: Florence Williams
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Publisher's summary

Can nature really make us feel better? The 3-Day Effect takes a look at the science behind why being in the wild can make us happier, healthier, and more creative. Whether it’s rafting down Utah’s Green River, hiking in Utah’s wilderness, or walking through Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC, scientists are finding that the more exposure humans have to nature, the more we can benefit from reduced anxiety, enhanced creativity, and overall well-being.

Join science journalist Florence Williams and other researchers as they guide former war veterans, sex trafficking survivors, and even a nature-hater on three-day excursions into the wild. The crews don brainwave measuring devices to test nature’s direct effect on intelligence, creativity, and emotional health. 

As it turns out, being outdoors can be a miracle cure for an array of serious and everyday ailments. The astonishing results of this understudied phenomenon inspire action…and definitely a walk in the park 

©2018 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC.

Go Behind the Scenes of The 3-Day Effect

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Essential reading for all humans who are stressed out, mentally and physically.

- M.J., Audible Listener
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Our favorite moments from The 3 Day Effect

The morning after the third day...
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His relationship to the world shifted.
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The brain itself has been trickier to study…
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A week on the river is a year of therapy for me.
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Being in nature is especially helpful with trauma.
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  • The 3-Day Effect
  • The morning after the third day...
  • The 3-Day Effect
  • His relationship to the world shifted.
  • The 3-Day Effect
  • The brain itself has been trickier to study…
  • The 3-Day Effect
  • A week on the river is a year of therapy for me.
  • The 3-Day Effect
  • Being in nature is especially helpful with trauma.

About the Creator

Florence Williams is a journalist and the author of The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier and More Creative, which the The New York Times calls fascinating and JP Morgan named a top summer read of 2017. The Wall Street Journal calls her writing exceptional...droll and crisp, which makes her feel like a pastry. She is a contributing editor at Outside Magazine and she wrote and hosted Outside's podcast series, The XX Factor. Her six-part Audible Original series based on The Nature Fix, The 3-Day Effect, won a 2019 Gracie Award from the Alliance for Women in Media, as did her previous Audible Original series, Breasts Unbound. Her first book, Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History, won an Audie Award for best nonfiction title, and the 2013 Los Angeles Times Book Prize in Science and Technology.

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What listeners say about The 3-Day Effect

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    3 out of 5 stars

The Three Day Effect

I liked the anecdotal & scientific review of the effects of nature on the emotional, spiritual, & physical wellness of people with varied challenges. The only observation I would like to share as a disappointment is that I was left wondering why the author introduced fasting in the last chapter when it had not been addressed previously. I thought she was considering the value of outdoor natural settings. In my opinion, diets are “a whole different topic.”

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Great but Know the Signs of a Heart Attack

This story was great. But Eric was showing the possible signs of a heart attack during his hike. He probably did not have a silent one, but nausea, dizzieness and shortness of breath are definitely symptoms of a heart attack. He should not have been pushed to continue, IMHO.

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Opened my eyes

Everyone should listen to this. Science based story telling that confirms theories about the benefits of nature.

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didn't hate it

the narrator was kind of annoying, and her friend in chapter 4(?) was unbearable. the stories did make me want to hike and camp more though, so the overall message got through.

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was in awe

I connected to this book on another level. The narrator was so relatable. Thank you for opening my eyes to more possibilities

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Couldn’t stop listening!

It’s nice to listen to this with everyone’s own voice being heard. Such great information & ideas worth checking out in the near future. Makes me want to go out camping again... SOON!
Sherry
Alaska

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Some interesting insights, but mostly qualitative

I enjoyed Chapter 4 as it really got into the topic. Prior to that I felt the story was more of a counselling session rather than exploring the 3 day effect itself.

I was hoping to get into the quantitative results in more detail, but I finished feeling it was qual and anecdotal at times.

The author and narrator is energetic, emotive and passionate which helped me get to Chapter 4 and 5.

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3 Day Effect

Very interesting study. We all need to connect to nature from time to time. This research helps me understand why I like living where I do, surrounded by the beauty of nature. Not possible for everyone, but everyone should at least find time to step away from the hustle & bustle of urban life & “chill out” in nature.

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Wonderful learning experience!

Florence did a fantastic job painting the picture of beauty as she describes the science behind why our bodies react to nature the way they do. She was appropriately phone durable, and shared stories from people who've experienced things I can't even imagine. it was a wonderful listening experience, and I'm so glad I had the chance to hear it instead of read it in a book. The nature sounds and descriptions definitely contributed to the experience of this book! well done!

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Poignant and relevant

In today’s world of declining health both mental and physical this book was extremely inspiring for a recovering depressant like myself! It underscored my need to get back to me by experiencing the world as God intended! Loved every minute!
Please please read and forward!

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