Nature therapy, which is also called ecotherapy, is based on the concept of using nature to help us heal, especially psychologically. Instead of spending time enjoying and benefiting from the natural environment, we are spending more and more time on screens and online. We do not spend time outside as much as we did before to decompress, let off steam, or recharge. We may no longer bike through a
meadow or play games at the lake, for example, as we did when we were children. We’ve replaced those leisurely activities with more time spent on social media and video games. The ramifications are we are a stressed-out society with a variety of mental health maladies. The sounds of nature set a serene atmosphere for meditation. Listen to the birds, sit by the ocean, or take a stroll through the rainforest. The Benefits of Being in Nature
What science is showing is that we can reap the healing powers of Mother Nature and gain a host of mental health benefits. The question is are we partaking in what might be an easy, cost-effective solution to our problems? The latest research in psychology is furthering our knowledge about how spending time in nature is a low-cost and highly effective way to improve various aspects of our psychological wellness. Increased Happiness
Many books and articles have been published about how to boost happiness. One proven way is by spending more time in nature. In a review of extensive previous research, Gregory Bratman, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Washington, helped to chart a course for policymakers. He and his team wanted to create a framework measuring mental health benefits so city planners could incorporate natural settings into their future plans. In his study, published in Science Advances, Bratman and his colleagues found evidence that contact with nature is associated with many benefits including increases in happiness, a sense of well-being, positive social interactions, and a feeling of meaningfulness in life. Decreased Anxiety, Stress and Depression
Because anxiety, stress, and depression affect U.S. college students now at alarming rates, another study examined 14 already-published studies involving college-aged adults. Nature-rich environments unequivocally helped reduce mental distress. The study compared those in urban areas with those in natural environments. What it also revealed was how little time it took to impact these students. It showed that by spending a minimum of 10 minutes, either sitting or walking in a wide range of natural settings, there was a significant and beneficial impact on the participants’ mental health. Scientists used key psychological and physiological markers to measure this.
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