The start of Fall signifies many things: winter approaching, the return to school, and the holiday season, to name a few. Fall, therefore, could be a springboard for changes. Change spells out the possibility of negative emotions, stress, anxiety, and dread. However, nerves also come with change and the possibility for handling them in an improved way is possible too. While not every coping technique fits everyone perfectly, nature therapy can at least provide some insight.
Nature therapy–also referred to as forest therapy and grounding–is an umbrella term for various treatments that use nature to improve mental and/or physical health. Two characteristics of nature therapy make it beneficial for beginners: its high level of accessibility, and that it is a less invasive form of therapy. Hey, you’re probably already doing it now without even realizing it!
Nature therapy has simple methods for beginning its practice. One is a nature walk (Passante, 2024). It is exactly what its name suggests. You simply find a natural space and walk amongst it. Something that every healthy child or adult has surely done at some point in their lives. Gardening is another activity found in nature therapy that I am sure many do already (Burley, 2024). You don’t even have to go outside or possess a large garden to do it. Caring for a plant indoors, which is a good option given the chill of Fall, can be enough to gain therapeutic benefits from nature therapy. Another practice that is a little less common is something called forest bathing–also known as shinrin-yoku–which has Japanese origins. This involves taking in the forest atmosphere mindfully through the senses. So, imagine utilizing all of these practices in your daily life that may be bustling presently and how easy they are to implement. If you are still skeptical, there are corroborated benefits.
These techniques have well-documented benefits to people’s physical and mental health (Burley, 2024; Joschko et al., 2024; UC Davis Health, 2024). Physical benefits are rather direct with many activities in nature therapies that involve physical activity. These specifically include an increase in levels of vitamin D, a substance that is only activated by ample exposure to sunlight, maintenance of a healthy body weight, and potentially lowering the risk of heart disease. Positive impacts to cognitive function have been observed as well too with regular practice likely to improve your creativity and problem-solving skills, reduce blood pressure and cortisol levels, and improve your concentration and focus. But wait there’s more!! The benefits don’t just stop at you looking slimmer or tolerating a coworker marginally better. They also extend to your social life (gasp). Nature therapy can be a great group therapy activity and can improve social connections if done regularly. This can enable you to combat potential feelings of isolation and improve your overall well-being.
If you are on the lookout for something new to try this Fall, nature therapy is a worthy consideration for the burnt out executive to the neurotic preschooler. In the world where professionally conducted therapy is not universally accessible, nature therapy offers a potential alternative. If you already are up to your gardening or hiking, then you’re ahead of the game. So, try to stay happy and healthy.
Keywords: Fall, mental health, physical health, health, nature therapy, nature, stress, anxiety.
Highlighted Passage: “Nature therapy–also referred to as forest therapy and grounding–is an umbrella term for various treatments that use nature to improve mental and/or physical health. Two characteristics of nature therapy make it beneficial for beginners: its high level of accessibility, and that it is a less invasive form of therapy.”
References
Burley, E. (2024, May 7). How nature therapy benefits mental health. therapist.com. https://therapist.com/alternative-therapy/nature-therapy/.
Joschko, L., Pálsdóttir, A. M., Grahn, P., & Hinse, M. (2023). Nature-based therapy in individuals with mental health disorders, with a focus on mental well-being and connectedness to nature—a pilot study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 2167. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032167.
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UC Davis Health. (2023, May 3). 3 ways getting outside into nature helps improve your health. Cultivating Health. 7 https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/3-ways-getting-outside-intonature-helps-improve-your-health/2023/05.
