As the outdoors can often have a seemingly healing effect on individuals, nature therapy is a great way to reconnect with the outdoor world and find its benefits. Whether you want to be active in nature or seep in the fresh air through your pores, this healing practice could be the lifeline you need.
Unsplash/Bruno Ngarukiye
Are you unsure how you feel about nature therapy’s wonders? Take a look at a quick breakdown and activities to see if this well-being practice is right for you.
The basics of nature therapy
Also referred to as ecotherapy, nature therapy is all about being outdoors and connecting with the natural world. This practice works on the principle that individuals have an interwoven connection with nature and their environment. The intertwined nature between humans and the outdoors is a critical relationship to treasure and nurture.
One outstanding attribute of nature therapy is that the practice and activities to participate are varied, so you’ll have plenty of adventures to venture on to find what therapeutical activity in nature is the right one for you.
Research has been conducted, and studies have shown a definite link between stress relief and being active outdoors. By feeling present in nature, you can feel more rooted in the world and be more in the ‘here and now’.
Explore a variety of nature therapies to find the practice that works for you. Whether it is adventure therapy that focuses on adrenaline-fuelled exercise or arts and crafts in the outdoors, these activities in nature can potentially benefit your mental health.
Ecotherapy activities
While any activity in nature could be considered a way to engage in the healing practice of being outdoors, it is good to have a plan before venturing into the wild. Here are activities and experiences to consider in order to feel like you’re becoming more in tune with nature:
- Gardening – Watching nature grow before you and playing an active role in its survival has a way of making individuals feel in control and at one with the world. By getting your hands dirty, you’ll reap the benefits of your labours (physically and mentally).
- Forest bathing – this mindful practice is all about being silent while being in the belly of a forest and is an excellent method to find some peace from the bustling ways of urban living.
- Outdoor yoga – As yoga is generally associated as a healing and holistic practice, doing yoga outdoors could be the perfect way to kick your flow up a knotch. This will allow you to really disconnect from the stresses of everyday life and focus on nurturing your inner world.
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