Nature Therapy

Nature therapy, often referred to as green therapy or ecotherapy, was created by Theodore Roszak. It is an applied practice of emergent ecopsychology. The philosophy behind it stems from the idea that people are connected to a bigger scope of the picture or the web of life. Behind the philosophy is that we are connected to the environment rather than isolated or separated.

In nature therapy, individuals are able to explore their relationship with nature which is often forgotten about in other forms of therapy. At the very core of the philosophy is being able to connect with the earth and its systems, which can help improve mental health.

According to some health care practitioners and researchers, nature therapy can have a regenerative power and can help with a number of things including depression, anxiety, stress, and improve overall mood. This view has introduced nature prescriptions by healthcare providers for a variety of ailments including post cancer treatment, obesity, fatigue, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Based on studies by the University of Essex in the United Kingdom, things like seasonal affective disorder and depression are improved in about 71% of participants. Even as little as five minutes in the sun or taking a short stroll has proven to be beneficial.

Though there is much more to this therapy, there are different techniques and activities that can be utilized to help with recovery. Below are a few examples of these.

Nature Meditation

This is mediation taken place in a natural environment such as a park and has been done in group therapy settings. During this process, individuals may connect and be attracted to certain things found in nature to help them process certain emotions. For example, an individual struggling with self-worth may find peace by sitting near an old tree that is offering shelter to birds. This sort of activity often ends with members of the group taking turns and sharing their experience.

Horticultural Therapy

This therapy is completed through the use of plants and gardening. This is often recommended to individuals recovering from substance abuse, facing burnout, and stress and isolation for elderly. Activities include digging in the dirt, weeding and trimming.

Animal Assisted Therapy

One or more animals are used to help with the healing process. Studies have shown that working with an animal can help reduce aggression and agitation.

Physical Exercise

Exercising and doing activities like jogging, walking, and yoga in a natural setting is recommended for individuals who need help with stress, anxiety, depression, and anger.

Conservation

By helping the environment, individuals can often find a sense of purpose and restore hope. Such activities are often done in a group which can help foster a sense of belonging and provide much needed connection. This has been useful in improving overall mood.

Nature therapy has many benefits when it comes to the road to recovery from addiction. Below are several examples on how nature therapy can help support the healing process for substance abuse.

• Feeling renewed: spending time in nature often provides a sense of renewal and establishes a sense of feeling refreshed and ready to start a new life.

• Self-sufficiency: the environment can be the perfect place for healing to take place. Spending time in nature can provide individuals with an opportunity to become more self-aware and self-sufficient. By participating in different activities and learning new skills in wilderness programs, individuals can find a greater level of responsibility towards others, cohesion, and greater self-esteem. Programs like this have shown individuals that they can powerfully walk the long road to recovery and allow them to realize their own self-worth.

Nature therapy and innovative wildness programs can offer individuals great support while they work through the addiction treatment and recovery process.