Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: Nature-deficit disorder for adults -- Pt. 1: Nature neurons: intelligence, creativity, and the hybrid mind. Singing for bears ; The hybrid mind -- Pt. 2: Vitamin N: tapping the power of the natural world for our physical, emotional, and family fitness. The garden ; Fountains of life ; Re-naturing the psyche ; The deep green high ; The nature prescription -- Pt. 3: Near is the new far: knowing who you are by knowing where you are. Searching for your one true place ; The incredible experience of being where you are ; Welcome to the neighborhood ; The purposeful place ; The bonding -- Pt. 4: Creating everyday Eden: high-tech/high-nature design where we live, work, and play. The Nature Principle at home ; Stop, look up, and listen ; Nature neurons go to work ; Living in a restorative city ; Little suburb on the prairie -- Pt. 5: The high-performance human: making a living, a life, and a future. Vitamin N for the soul ; All rivers run to the future ; The right to a walk in the woods ; Where mountains once were and rivers will be.

In this book the author argues that a strong connection to nature is essential for human health. Supported by research, anecdotal evidence, and personal stories, the author shows how tapping into the restorative powers of the natural world can boost mental acuity and creativity; promote health and wellness; build smarter and more sustainable businesses, communities, and economies; and ultimately strengthen human bonds. He outlines seven precepts he calls the "Nature Principle", which include balancing technology excess with time in nature; a mind/body/nature connection, which he calls "vitamin N," that enhances physical and mental health; expanding our sense of community to include all living things; and purposefully developing a spiritual, psychological, physical attachment to a region and its natural history. The book presents examples of these precepts, from studies of how exposure to a common soil bacteria increases production of serotonin in the brain to designing shopping malls inspired by termite mounds.