Easily distracted? Going in circles? Unable to focus and maintain the discipline to reach the little goals you set for yourself? Wasting time playing games on your phone, tablet, or computer? Lost for hours on Facebook? Lacking motivation? Feeling depressed or anxious?
Modern society offers amazing options for entertainment, obtaining information, communicating with others, and utilizing our talents. Climate controlled homes, offices, factories, and vehicles ensure our comfort and shield us from the elements. Technology offers many distractions and ways to spend our time. We are entertained, informed, posted, tagged, liked, comforted, distracted, and spent.
The modern world separates us from the natural rhythms, cycles, and struggles of the natural world. Our immune systems suffer…and so do our minds and spirits. Spending time in nature reconnects us with our natural instincts, our resilience, and our senses. It calms the mind, reducing the incidence of racing thoughts, impulsivity and distractibility. You may be surprised to find your counselor or psychotherapist recommending a walk outside to treat your depression or anxiety disorder. The benefits of nature-based therapies are closely related to psychotherapy treatments involving “mindfulness.”
A growing body of research confirms what many mental health professionals have known for years: Spending time outside leads to feeling better on the inside. A variety of mental health problems respond to interventions based in Ecotherapy. Ecotherapy is an application of Ecopsychology, which was developed by Theodore Roszak in 1992. Nature-based interventions are being implemented at the national level in the UK and other developed countries.
According to the authors of Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind, (2009):
Ecotherapy work has been shown to ameliorate depression, lower blood pressure, enhance self-esteem, encourage new social behaviors in dementia patients, help with impulse control in acting-out youth, and decrease post-operative recovery time. Psychotherapy clients, the elderly, people suffering from post-traumatic stress, and patients with mood disorders have all offered favorable reports about ecotherapeutic work.
Linda Buzzell, 2009.
Major studies of the scientific benefits of Ecotherapy are still needed to make this an evidence-based practice in the United States. However, contact with nature is something you can implement on your own and experience the benefits immediately.
Get out there and find ways to spend time in green spaces such as parks or your own backyard. Notice whether you feel a sense of peace after sitting near a river, lake, or creek. Re-connecting to nature is great prevention medicine, often preventing the need for formal psychotherapy.
One easy way to begin is to start going for a walk at your local park or nature trail on your lunch break. Try to let go of worries and just be aware of the sights, sounds, smells, and feels around you.
If you are already struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, relational problems, or addictions, make an appointment with a holistic therapist who incorporates nature-based interventions into your treatment plan.
Angie Fenske, LCSW, is a holistic practitioner who utilizes various techniques to treat difficult and complex mental health problems. Make an appointment today to benefit from a unique, individualized, creative treatment approach that will benefit you long after the last therapy session!
Angie is a compassionate, holistic psychotherapist practicing at Renewed Mental Health in Joplin, MO. She has 18 years of experience in the field. Angie is also a practicing Shaman, teacher, retreat leader.
Take the first step…contact Angie for a consultation today!
