Nursing Instructor to Describe Effect of Nature on Physical, Emotional Health

Donald Wleklinski, a clinical instructor of nursing in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing at the University of Arkansas, will present "How Nature Can Empower You," a talk about how exposure to nature is vital to physical and emotional health, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at the Fayetteville Public Library.

Wleklinski, a registered nurse who holds a master's degree from John Brown University and a bachelor's degree from Indiana University, will explain how "nature engages your attention in a relaxed fashion with such things as leaves rustling, patterns of clouds, sunsets, a bird and the shape of an old tree. Nature captures our attention in subtle, bottom-up ways and allows our top-down attention abilities a chance to regenerate."

Natural environments "restore" our attention, Wleklinski said. Many people may suffer from "nature-deficit" and interaction with nature can provide preventive health care and empower people of all ages, both physically and mentally, he said.

The presentation, which is free and open to the public, will include time for questions. It will take place in the Walker Community Room.

For more information, contact Wleklinski at dwleklin@uark.edu or 479-220-2772.