HOW NATURE CONNECTEDNESS CAN BOOST MENTAL HEALTH
Promoting a connection with nature is a welcome change as more and more get sucked into eight to 10 hours of screen time a day. Nature connectedness can improve attention, lower stress, improve mood, reduce risk of psychiatric disorders and increase empathy and cooperation.
Nature Therapy and Ecotherapy are becoming buzzwords for those who delightfully discover the beauty of nature and how it affects them positively.
Of course, related topics such as camping, hiking, trekking, glamping, camper vanning and mountaineering are even more popular because many who passionately do them do not realize the benefits until the last minute.
The American Psychological Association (APA), the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States composed of 157,000 researchers and educators, featured the topic several times on their website.
“Ecotherapy is gaining traction as a means to help people tap into nature’s therapeutic powers. The term covers a range of interventions, not all of which are evidence-based. But some psychologists are working to ground such science programs,” said Dr. Ryan Reese, who with his colleagues developed EcoWellness, “defined as respect, appreciation and awe of nature resulting in feeling connected and experiencing wellness.”
Many psychologists are also increasingly interested in walking therapy. Clients walk outside for fresh air and exercise during therapy sessions. Dr. C. Vaile Wright, director of research and special projects in APA’s Practice Directorate, said that more research is needed but the technique is promising.
Promoting a connection with nature is a welcome change as more and more get sucked into eight to 10 hours of screen time a day. That means spending a lot of time on a couch, in bed, or on a desk — away from the outdoors and the sun.
A quiet stroll in the neighborhood park or hiking to scale the next mountain on your bucket list provides exposure to nature that brings about many benefits. Research has linked nature connectedness to improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders, and increased empathy and cooperation.
While most research is focused on green spaces, researchers are now also beginning to study the benefits of blue spaces or those with river and ocean views. Some believe that blue spaces may even be more restorative than green spaces.
Psychologist Dr. Lisa Nisbet of Trent University in Canada said that “there is mounting evidence, from dozens and dozens of researchers, that nature has benefits for both physical and psychological human wellbeing.”
“You can boost your mood just by walking in nature, even in urban nature. And the sense of connection you have with the natural world seems to contribute to happiness even when you’re not physically immersed in nature,”
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