And how can it help heal mental illness?
As a species, human beings have evolved in nature. Our ancestral roots were affixed firmly in the nutrient-rich environment of the wilderness. Until relatively recently on our evolutionary timeline, we’ve had a deeply spiritual connection to the Earth with many of our ancestors claiming no separation between themselves and the natural world around them.
However, over-time, we’ve become increasingly disconnected from nature; with over 50% of the world’s population now living in urban areas. According to a study examining the effects of environmental pollutants - the average American spends 93% of their time in enclosed buildings or vehicles. In addition, most of us are regularly bombarded with unnatural things like phone calls, social media, and email notifications. Simply being outside in our world today still means navigating man-made environmental factors like streets, constant noise, and a barrage of unnatural light, advertisements, etc.
“Nature Therapy” is about reconnecting with our natural roots. It’s about engaging with therapy in a setting that removes much of the noise of our everyday, busy lives, and reconnecting with something inside ourselves that’s been lost.
Let’s explore some of the science behind therapy in a natural environment and why it may be just the thing you need to help you begin to heal from mental illness that comes from life in modern times.
Scientific Support for Nature Therapy
Nature therapy may seem like a strange alternative - maybe even fringe - type of therapy. Nothing more than a walk in the woods. However the positive effects of nature therapy (or ecotherapy/wilderness therapy as it is also known) are well researched and documented.
Spending time in nature has been linked to relaxation and immune system recovery, a decrease in anxiety and rumination, stress recovery, and even increased cognition. A quick Google search can provide even more data and support for nature from all fields of physical and mental health.
Though not officially integrated into psychotherapy until the 1990’s, ecopsychology has been used all over the world for hundreds of years. In fact, the Japanese call it “Forest Bathing” or Shinrin-yoku and it is a part of everyday life for most Japanese. It is also widely accepted that this cultural prioritization of time in nature - among a healthy diet and other factors - is one of the primary reasons Japan has one of the highest life expectancies in the world.
Nature Therapy Is More Than Just Time Spent Outdoors.
We often “prescribe” time in Colorado nature to our clients as a way of decreasing the effects of everyday stress, lowering heart rate, and achieving a more holistic well-being. While experts in multiple health fields will tout the positive effects of spending time outdoors in general, Nature Therapy as a practice is more than that. Therapy in nature is designed to remove the intensity of everyday life so you can focus more intently on healing during your therapy session. Just as with indoor psychotherapy sessions, nature therapy is conducted in a safe, positive, and supportive environment.
Your therapist should work with you to establish an intent for your therapeutic session and define the type of nature you’d feel most comfortable in to provide utmost connection back to nature, and to yourself. This could look like a walk in a natural space, sitting on a bench in a quiet park, a day hike, or even a guided overnight experience in a wilderness area.
Regardless of the setting, nature therapy combines the positive effects of time outside with the healing effects of psychotherapy to bring a sense of peace and connection to oneself. To be clear, the intention of an outdoor therapy session is not exercise, and physical exertion during a session is never encouraged. While there is a place for this type of exercise in holistic healing, the intent of nature therapy is to be at peace and mindful while working with your therapist to uncover truths about yourself.
Nature Therapy at Evolve In Nature
To us, there are few places more naturally beautiful than our own “backyard” of Boulder and the Rocky Mountain wilderness areas. We feel blessed to have such natural splendor so accessible to us and our clients.
We will first work with you to establish an intention for your outdoor therapy session. We may simply continue on your path to healing or maybe there is a specific topic you’d like to explore during our time together in nature. Either way, we’ll create goals and decide the best setting for the session together.
It is our goal to walk alongside you in mindfulness during a nature therapy session. We want to help you tune into nature, and in turn, to your healing process.
Whether your facing anxiety or depression, dealing with trauma, experiencing grief from loss, or any other mental health need; it is our goal to help you increase your happiness and confidence, improve your sense of self, deepen your relationships, step into your true power, and make the changes in your life you have been longing for. We believe time in nature is a powerful tool for healing and we want to help you discover that.