[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you are not familiar with ecotherapy, you may find it interesting, especially if you value natural wellness strategies. Ecotherapy is a therapeutic practice that involves being active in natural outdoor settings. Science has much to teach us about the potential healing properties of nature and its complex, interactive ecosystems, with one study suggesting that the
wellness benefits we obtain outdoors should be better acknowledged in the broad social, philosophical, psychological and economic well-being literature.
What is ecotherapy?
Connecting with nature has been considered beneficial for psychological well-being since our primal days. This has come to be associated with
eco-centrism, an ethical philosophy suggesting that all elements within natural ecosystems have inherent worth. Ecocentrism seeks to de-emphasize the importance of humans, instead promoting the value of plants, animals, microorganisms, water, soil and air.
On the other end of the spectrum is
anthropocentrism, which literally means human centered. This perspective values natural ecosystems
only insofar as they benefit humans. In anthropocentrism, humans alone possess intrinsic value, whereas all other beings and living systems are merely a means to human ends.
So, how does all this dovetail with ecotherapy? Well, the more we understand and value the natural world, the more likely we are to benefit from the practice of ecotherapy, which can be explored in many ways.
Well-known ecotherapy practices
Outdoor yoga
The opportunity to experience this ancient practice mindfully in nature?with full access to rich, pure oxygen?is uniquely rejuvenating, which makes sense given that yoga places a major emphasis on breath work, or pranayama.
Outdoor yoga, which combines the benefits of regular practice with the beauty and healing elements of nature, may enhance your physical and mental well-being in many ways.
How to benefit: Explore various serene settings such as parks, beaches, mountains and gardens for practicing yoga. Drink in the sights and sounds around you, such as rustling leaves, the warm touch of sunlight and the fresh scent of growing things as you move through your favorite asanas, breathing deeply, in beautiful natural settings.
Animal-assisted therapy
Humans have been coexisting with animals for centuries, and this bond has been shown to create a relaxing state of mind in people, which may include an improved mood and elevated sense of well-being, a reduction in stress and/or anxiety, enhanced fitness and a decrease in feelings of loneliness and isolation.
How to benefit: Curl up with your kitty, treat your grateful pup to a daily walk, visit an animal shelter, get involved with a local animal sanctuary, study ants or bees, or take care of animals for loved ones. You might also explore equine therapy, or just go horseback riding. Teach children to love and respect all living things along the way!
Ornithotherapy (bird watching)
Viewing these wild and free creatures in their natural habitats can heighten your senses, encouraging a state of flow as you focus on spotting, watching, identifying and appreciating the winged wildlife you observe. Ornithotherapy is a form of mindfulness meditation, as being immersed in nature in this way enables you to step away from daily worries, making you feel more relaxed, reducing stress and improving mental well-being.
How to benefit: Explore local parks, public gardens, zoos, nature centers, aviaries, wildlife refuges and animal-focused theme parks to search for new varieties of birds. Learn more here about
The Mental Health (and Other) Benefits of Bird-Watching.
Horticulture therapy, also called garden therapy
The
therapeutic benefits of garden environments have been documented since ancient times. In the 19th century, Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and recognized as the "Father of American Psychiatry," was first to document the positive effect working in the garden had on individuals with mental illness. The focus on nurturing and interacting with plants appears to have a naturally calming effect on mood, relieving anxiety and stress.
How to benefit: Many people find gardening, landscape design,
composting or other plant-based activities to be healing and rejuvenating. You might start with little pots of herbs on a windowsill, set up a
simple composting system, plan for seasonal additions to your garden, or propagate cutting for gifts, especially from Spider plants which offer babies, or
“spiderettes” for easy propagation.
Earthing or biological grounding
Earthing refers to a therapeutic technique involving activities that “ground” or electrically reconnect you to the earth. This practice, derived from earthing science and grounding physics, holds that
electrical charges from the earth can have positive effects on your body. Several
studies have explored how grounding can help with inflammation, cardiovascular disease, muscle damage, chronic pain and mood by supporting our living matrix, which is the central connector between living cells.
How to benefit: Walk barefoot in nature on a beach, sand dunes, forest trail or grassy knoll. Seek out uneven surfaces like cobblestones or
reflexology walking paths, which are designed to stimulate and regulate acupoints on the feet. In Chinese medicine, this is believed to support healthy blood pressure, lower cholesterol and help alleviate chronic pain. You might also skim:
What is Earthing? Reconnect With the Earth for Health & Well-Being.
Forest therapy/forest bathing
Forest bathing is the practice of immersing yourself deep among forest trees to enhance your well-being, allowing you to ‘unplug’ from the modern, technology-driven world and step into a natural sphere, rich in pure oxygen. One study on the benefits of
forest bathing found that these environments may lower concentrations of cortisol, pulse rate and blood pressure while increasing healthy parasympathetic nerve activity. This practice also gives us a stronger appreciation for natural forest ecosystems.
How to benefit: Explore forests local to you, bringing a snack, water, blanket and some soothing music so you can ‘bathe’ at length in a deeply wooded setting. You can also
actively forest bathe?walking, hiking or foraging, which involves engaging with nature by searching for and collecting wild plants. This in turn provides a therapeutic connection to the environment and promotes mental well-being when practiced mindfully.
Wilderness therapy
This experiential form of therapy combines outdoor experiences and therapy sessions to promote healthy feelings of self-worth, accomplishment and confidence within a supportive space for self-discovery. It is often used in rehab programs and as a therapy for teens with mental and emotional health struggles, with a focus on nature to help them develop new coping strategies.
How to benefit: Tap into wilderness therapy benefits with hiking, rock climbing, backpacking, games and problem-solving activities, group expeditions, recreational and/or adventure activities and rappelling, which is the act of descending a steep slope by holding onto a rope secured above you. Doing a wilderness program together can also help families with troubled adolescents address their issues, work on their relationships and heal as a family.
In a world that often feels fast paced and chaotic, finding moments of tranquility and inner peace is essential for your mental, physical and emotional well-being. Ecotherapy factors into this objective perfectly, yielding tangible benefits in the context of a mindfulness therapy enabling you to create a deeper connection within yourself to your natural environment and to the earth itself.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="181523" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1737407632244{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/skeeter-screen-outdoor-garden-candle-deet-free-15-oz"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="181525" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1737407648649{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/murphys-naturals-mosquito-repellent-incense-sticks"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="181524" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1737407662410{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/now-essential-oils-pine-needle"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
