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Ecotherapy: the benefits of contact with nature for mind and body
Ecotherapy: The Benefits of Nature for Mind and Body
Spending time outdoors is a pleasure... but did you know it’s also a remedy for your well-being? That’s what Ecotherapy suggests, which you might also know as Eco Therapy.
This discipline explains how connecting with nature benefits both mind and body, and in this article, we’ll explore what it’s all about.
1. What is Ecotherapy? Origins and Scientific Foundations
Ecotherapy (or Eco Therapy) is a therapeutic practice that uses nature as a remedy for people’s well-being. The concept behind this practice is simple: regular contact with nature can have therapeutic effects on health, both mentally and physically.
When discussing Eco Therapy, it’s essential to also mention Ecopsychology, which more broadly studies the connection between the human psyche and nature to restore a harmony that benefits both humans and the environment, beyond simply treating human well-being.
As early as the 20th century, efforts were made to bridge ecology and psychology until the 1990s when the topic became crucial in California. The first person to promote the term Ecopsychology was the American historian Theodore Roszak in his 1992 book, *The Voice of the Earth*.
The term Ecotherapy, on the other hand, specifically refers to treating symptoms through contact with nature and became popular in 1996, thanks to the book *Ecotherapy: Healing Ourselves, Healing the Earth* by Professor Howard Clinebell.
However, the origins of Ecotherapy are much older. Although structured discussions only began in the 1990s, the idea that nature has healing power is ancient and was practiced by indigenous populations for centuries.
In recent decades, many experiments have been conducted, and scientific research results increasingly suggest that spending time outdoors can improve our mood and even help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
The benefits have been studied worldwide, and one area of interest is research on the Shinrin-Yoku remedy by Dr. Qing Li. The results led Japanese doctors to prescribe immersion in nature as an actual therapy to be followed for several days in a mindful, slow, and worry-free manner.
2. Benefits of Ecotherapy for Body and Mind
Ecotherapy identifies reconnecting with nature as a solution for the disconnection issues associated with modern times. Our era has forgotten the importance of our bond with the Earth, and evolving habits have led humans to lose the natural, primal connection they once had with nature.
According to Ecotherapy, this disconnection can be a significant source of discomfort. This is why reconnecting with nature is considered the solution. In recent years, as we’ve seen, various studies have continued to explore the effects of nature on humans, and it seems that spending time in green spaces benefits both physical and mental health. As previously mentioned, we’ve delved into some of these benefits by discussing one of the most significant studies on "healing in green spaces," the Shinrin-Yoku remedy or Forest Bathing. Here are the main benefits summarized:
Mental Health Benefits
- Contact with nature can reduce stress and help combat anxiety and depression by lowering cortisol levels and releasing endorphins.
- It can also improve concentration and memory skills.
Physical Health Benefits
- Spending time in nature lowers blood pressure, positively impacting the cardiovascular system.
- It also boosts the immune system thanks to phytoncides.
3. The Most Popular Ecotherapy Techniques
Ecotherapy techniques can vary, but the underlying concept remains the same: healing through contact with nature. To learn these techniques, it’s crucial to remember that, whatever approach you choose to start with, it’s essential to perform it mindfully, slowly, and calmly.
Here are some of the most popular techniques:
Forest Bathing
This technique involves “Bathing in the Forest.” It’s about fully immersing yourself in the woods, allowing all your senses to awaken. The smog in the air, the honking of car horns, the gray of dirty asphalt, and the hectic rushes from one task to another are replaced by the scent of grass, the chirping of birds, and the green of the forest.
This allows you, in a simple way, to improve your mood, reduce stress, and lower blood pressure.
Garden Therapy
Tending to a garden, flowers, or plants with care and attention may seem simple, but focusing solely on these activities, temporarily leaving other thoughts behind, helps you relax and feel accomplished.
Besides improving emotional well-being, it helps you complete something beautiful. This technique can also be done with others, promoting socialization.
Outdoor Activities
Engaging in outdoor activities like yoga or jogging can promote mental well-being. In general, spending time outdoors during the day can also help regulate circadian rhythms and improve sleep quality. Cortisol levels (the stress hormone) improve when spending time in nature.
The key requirements are natural light, fresh air, and the landscape, which, with its green and blue hues, can have a calming and restorative effect. Sunlight promotes the production of serotonin and vitamin D, both of which improve our mood.
Meditation in Nature
Focusing on your breath, letting your mind flow, and meditating can help you feel better by reducing stress and improving your concentration skills. Doing this in nature can be even more effective.
When you immerse yourself in nature, time seems to slow down for you. The air quality and the absence of noise help you concentrate and relax. Your senses awaken: you perceive scents carried by the wind, and the colors seem to brighten. Suddenly, you notice your breath, and you feel better.
Earthing
Walking barefoot on grass, lying among flowers, or by the sea. Those who practice Earthing seek physical contact between their bodies and the Earth.
This is said to help them connect with the Earth, its healing power, and energy, restoring a balance between their body and the Earth's electric currents.
4. How to Practice Ecotherapy: Tips to Get Started
As we’ve seen, healing in green spaces is simple, and anyone can start spending more time in nature to feel better.
For starters, a garden near your home can help, but to fully engage all your senses, it’s best to go to a place where you can see the horizon, not hear traffic, and take deep breaths of fresh air. Here, for example, you’ll find many perfect destinations where you can start practicing Ecotherapy.
How Much Time is Needed?
Generally, it’s recommended to spend at least 20 minutes a day in contact with nature, even in a green area, fully enjoying the moment and avoiding the use of technological devices or reading materials that could distract from the immersive experience in the environment.
However, regularly scheduling extended sessions, like a weekend in nature, can have deeper and more lasting positive effects on psychological well-being.
Conclusion
The bond between humans and nature has always been fundamental, even though we seem to have forgotten it recently.
Today, more and more scientific research suggests that a change in course and returning to spending time in nature could be crucial for both our physical and psychological well-being.
And so, if spending time in nature can help us live better lives, what’s left for us to do but start!
All that’s needed is to choose the destination and enjoy an immersion in green spaces!
