How eco-therapy heals: the science and practices for reconnecting with nature

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This article was written by Marian Volkyn.

Eco-therapy, also known as nature therapy, is the practice of immersing yourself in nature and experiencing feelings of peace, serenity and relaxation. Ecopsychology is still an emerging area in the psychology field, but it focuses on studying the mental and emotional impact that humans experience when they are out in nature and also studies the connection between humans and the earth. 

There’s a reason why people tend to go for walks, hikes or visits to the beach when they have important decisions to make. It’s even why people sometimes lend themselves to hobbies like gardening when feeling overwhelmed. For instance, a study from 2019 revealed that gardening helped improve the overall emotional well-being of psychiatric patients in a recovery facility. The best part is that eco-therapy is inexpensive.

The science behind eco-therapy

Eco-therapy’s impact on children

A 2018 study found that children who lived and played in rural areas surrounded by nature had greater resilience to stress, higher levels of self-worth, a strengthened sense of self, and improved concentration, cognitive abilities and creativity. 

 

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Reduced symptoms of PTSD

The abovementioned study also revealed that eco-therapy was a helpful intervention for war veterans, as it helped to ease the symtpoms from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Psychoacoustics

A study from 2010 titled “Stress Recovery during Exposure to Nature Sound and Environmental Noise” found that the sounds of nature helped the nervous system recover faster than that of typical city soundscapes, like traffic and chatter.

Here’s how you can incorporate ecotherapy practices into your daily life:

• Gardening – simply start your own garden. If you have the privilege of having a yard, you can simply start by growing some plants or vegetables. If you don’t have the luxury of space, you can start with an herb garden in your kitchen or grow some plants on your windowsill.
• Forest bathing – if you are close to a forest, go for a short walk between the trees or you can even visit your closest local park and immerse yourself in trees.
• Grounding – if you have a garden at home, simply take off your shoes and sink your feet into grass or the soil. Connecting to the earth in such a natural way will help you feel more connected to yourself and your surroundings.
• Animal-assisted therapy – pets, like dogs, cats, birds and horses, are known to have a positive impact on the emotional well-being of humans. If you have a fur baby, take some time in your day to pet them or visit your closest animal shelter and volunteer your time. Not only will you be doing a good deed for the animals, but you will be able to benefit from the therapeutic effects of engaging with animals too.

This article first appeared on Garden & Home.