How Nature can help with mental illnesses and Nature assisted Therapy
Do you remember the times when you played outside in the warm sunshine, the gentle breeze of wind going through your hair or the times you walked through a park, a forest or any area with much greenery. Remember the times you walked or cycled through a meadow or just chilled out at a lake? I just love those places, love to watch the animals living there and listen to the birds chirping - it makes me feel alive!
Sadly in today’s world, people do not spend as much time outside to decompress and rechange as in the “olden days” when social media and online games haven’t been that popular .
What was your favorite activity outside and what kind of benefits does it give you?
The evidence of positive effects from nature includes studies on specific psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety and mood disorder. Access to nature has also been found to improve sleep and reduce stress, increase happiness and reduce negative emotions, promote positive social interactions and even help generate a sense of meaning to life.
Excerpts from Green spaces aren’t just for nature – they boost our mental health too 😀.
How would you describe a place outside which you find particularly relaxing?
How do you feel different at the end of a day which you spend partly outside to a day you stayed inside?
Nature assisted therapy
Nature-based (or nature-assisted) therapies are defined as therapeutic interventions that incorporate plants, natural materials, and/or outdoor environments. It generally involves
A trained, supportive professional, like a therapist
A green environment
Appreciating and exploring nature
This type of therapy is about connecting people with nature often using mindfulness. Nature-assisted therapy can also be combined with traditional therapies like cbt (cognitive-behavioral therapy).
Do you believe that nature-assisted therapy could make people feel more comfortable to open up and why?
What are some of your favorite plants and why?
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@amiablePeace77 I do enjoy feeding the birds in a park with some beautiful trees. I think that nature assisted therapy could be helpful. I have heard of dog and horse assisted therapy programs. I have some favorite bushes and trees with flowers in my neighborhood that are beautiful.
@adventurousBranch3786
Feeding the birds in a park with some beautiful trees is something I would enjoy for sure too 😊. Some people call nature assisted therapy also eco therapy.
I feel it is extremely important to ensure respectful nature connection and not just see nature as another therapy fad. We lose the connection once we think we are superior to nature and feel entitled to enjoy places... unfortunately often the presence of people is detrimental to sensitive habitats.
As things stand it is important to rewild cities and urban areas so it can be accessed easily and would have less impact on sensitive sites
@anonyLemon4233 I hear your concerns.
For me, nature is vast and way beyond my scope and dimension. It has been around for billions of years and I am here for only a little while. I feel humbled and inspired by nature.
I think everyone approaches nature on their own terms. Thanks for posting
When I'm outside in the woods for example, I feel as if it's boundaries extend beyond where they lay. The highway doesn't exist, and nature carries on into the conscious thought and is one with my subconscious. Memories and dreams at peace. Ambience and sight, senses all together. No worrIt's or distractions for a moment as I try to imprint it, embrace it and hold on to it.
Lockdowns and covid got in the way. Being indoors and safe does have it's advantages. But really there's no comparing the two. For me at least.
That's why I try to savour moments when the dopamine or endorphins are flowing. You need those memories when life gets difficult
@imaginativePear6493
I can relate to the woods and feeling at peace. Trees can have a very calming effect on us. I hope you will be able to get back into the woods soon and enjoy it again. I so agree to savoring the good moments we have.
@amiablePeace77 thanks for this thread
Do you believe that nature-assisted therapy could make people feel more comfortable to open up and why? I think being in nature can help me reconnect with a part of myself that society does not nurture.
What are some of your favorite plants and why? I like wildflowers. They grow and once they are established nothing stops them
@soulsings
I'm glad to hear that nature helps you to reconnect to that part of yourself. Sadly society applies many filters when it comes to embracing a person.
Wildflowers are strong and very beautiful when we care to really look at them.
My parents make me go outside every day unless I am sick. I live in Hawai’i until last month now we live in California and even is a lot colder here still make go outside all the time. They do NOT like stay inside on phone and stuff all the time say go to park to beach go to skatepark. My brothers all older than me go outside a lot to and take me places so I am not alone everywhere. I go surf every morning before do homeschool and then after school stuff go other places outside, makes me happier outside then inside all the time even if sometimes want to STAY on couch do nothing.
@theboymoana glad you are active physically. That helps me feel better also
If it is colder, maybe wear a jacket? It should start warming up soon.
@soulsings yes I wear a jacket I have really really warm one now and some just little bit warm can’t wait for it to be spring time though
@theboymoana I am with you. Spring is something that turns the corner on bad weather.
@amiablePeace77
I think that being nature can be really relaxing because you get to be in a different environment which may help take your mind off your worries,plus eco therapy may help you talk about your thoughts because you may feel more relaxed.
Personally going out in nature helps me forget about my worried and be more in the present. My favourite green spaces to visit are the garden or the park & my favourite flower is the sunflower.
@ChanteM8683 gardens are very healing places to me. Sunflowers are amazing they keep turning to face the sun.
The only place on earth I have ever felt true peace and the feeling of being one with my surroundings was the Shoe Fence in Rice California.
no voices in my head , no delusional friends in my peripheral vision , ….only true peace and quietness of mind .
@intellectualJar1071
It must have been a great experience for you. I hope though that soon you will find a place where you feel being one with your close surroundings.
I hope so as well , but while I’m still searching , I find it hard to find peace in my current setting. We moved down here for a number of reasons , but I feel zero connection to anything here.
@intellectualJar1071
Finding belonging, feeling connected when we move somewhere else can be challenging 💙 I hope coming here and this video will give you some comfort https://youtu.be/ygehUaxRC6s
I do enjoy my time under a big neem tree near our terrace. It's indeed peaceful ❤️
@hopezzy neem trees have many healing properties
@hopezzy
Neem trees are so beautiful and with so many leaves they are a perfect shade giver. Are you using the leaves like as pesticide for other plants?
Thanks for sharing such an amazing and interesting article. As a black therapist California I agree with this that nature therapy is a great gift from nature it really helps those who are suffering from mental health issues.
@alvinarose if you want to practice as a therapist on 7cups, please apply by email to support@7cups.com
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@soulsings ok no problem thanks for telling me about it.😊
Hello, I was never much of an outdoors person. I was raised in the city and not much nature around nor was I allowed out much. As an adult now I sit on my deck day or night and just enjoy the stars and the moon. I love to watch the birds from my porch. I can see the mountains from my upstairs deck and it feels peaceful.
I like flowers of all types and a swim in the pool.
@scarletPear1945
Thank you for sharing this beautiful view with us! It's sounds truly amazing.
