Nature and Mental Health Connection
The adversity following the COVID-19 pandemic that people around the globe are living through was inevitable. Reduced social interactions, increased loneliness, apprehension regarding one's own health and that of loved ones, as well as unpredictability related to future circumstances can exacerbate fear, depression and anxiety.
It is often that a simple walk in a park, observing a plant sprouting to life from a tiny seed or going on vacation far away from the hustle of the city has at least partially relieved people from overwhelming stress and made them feel new again. This is a clear indication that humans have a deep-rooted desire to connect back to the natural world however much they separate themselves from it. Human identity and personal fulfillment depend on our relationship with nature.
Nature therapy, also called ecotherapy, is the practice of being in nature to boost growth and healing and is an overarching word for all types of therapeutic activity related to nature, animal and plants. It encompasses many activities in nature that have positive effects through increasing sensory contact and mindfulness.
Scenes of nature activate our parasympathetic nervous system and in turn reduce stress and autonomic arousal. This calming effect is brought about because of our innate connection to the natural world. For those who have a garden adjoining their houses or modifying window boxes, etc. with greenery, may bring emotional satisfaction. Hanging up a birdfeeder, displaying plants that attract insects and butterflies, putting up a nature picture on the wall, placing some flowers in a jar by the window, or growing a plant from seed can all be easily done.
Natural materials like dried stems or leaves can be creatively employed in crafts and games. It is not about the quality of creativity but our expressions, contexts and experiences that bring us a step closer to feelings of connectedness and, in turn, a sense of relaxation. Walking, exercising, yoga or any physical activity in nature may benefit the psyche, eradicating unwanted negative affects like depression and anxiety along with increasing a general sense of well-being. Animal-assisted intervention is an alternative for those who already have a pet at home because it encourages people to spend more time with pets.
The act of bringing back to memory a strong experience of nature, recalling that special time in nature can take us away from the current distress. Spending time observing a living plant or creature— looking at its color, shape, texture, age, how it has adapted to its surrounding etc., without judgement can fill us with awe and a sense of wellness. This has been proposed as one of the strategies to deal with the isolation and loneliness experienced during the pandemic. Based on the principles of optimism, personal growth and positive psychology, ecotherapy promises to play a unique role in the field of social psychiatry in the days to come.
Here are today’s Wellness Wednesday Program reading resources:
Nature Therapy: Types and Benefits - WebMD
