Discover the Balancing Power of Nature With Ecotherapy
Do you often feel anxious, agitated, or overwhelmed? The truth is you are not alone. In fact, more and more people feel anxious, depressed, frustrated, and lonely due to their way of life. One of the culprits of this is a complete disconnect from nature.
Ecotherapy aims to fix that by having people spend more time in nature doing activities they enjoy. It seeks to harness the power of nature and use it to promote wellness. After all, we are connected with our environment and other beings on this planet, and ecotherapy wants to encourage this harmonious relationship to nurture individual well-being.
Read on to discover what ecotherapy is, how it works, its benefits, how to practice it, and where to find ecotherapy in Cypress and Northwest Houston, TX.
How Does Ecotherapy Work?
Ecotherapy is an alternative approach that uses nature’s balancing potential by having people do outdoor activities. It is also known as nature therapy or green therapy, and it stems from the idea that all the living things on this planet are connected. We are not isolated from our environment, and ecotherapy allows you to regain that relationship with nature. As a result, you should experience certain mental health benefits.
Many people feel better after spending time outside, which is why gardening, weekend hikes, park walks, and other outdoor hobbies are so popular. These activities help people feel more relaxed and less anxious. In addition, they can help lift your mood, so you end up feeling refreshed afterward.
Although there is no strict definition, ecotherapy typically involves:
- Taking place in a green environment
- Focusing on an activity rather than the health outcome
- Experiencing and appreciating nature
- Getting support from a trained professional
- Spending time with other people
What Are the Benefits of Ecotherapy?
Most people today lead a fast-paced lifestyle, completely disconnected from nature. As a result, many individuals feel anxious, lonely, frustrated, and depressed. Ecotherapy aims to fix that, and people who partake in this approach report these benefits:
- Feeling more relaxed throughout the day
- Feeling less anxious and depressed
- Having better stress coping mechanisms
- Feeling less mental fatigue
- Being more aware of the surroundings
- Experiencing increased mindfulness
- Having higher self-esteem
- Enjoying better social interactions
- Being more physically active
Some reports indicate that ecotherapy could help with conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), seasonal affective disorder, diabetes, and fibromyalgia. In addition, spending time in the sunlight and being more active could benefit your musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, immune, and mental health.
How Do I Practice Ecotherapy?
Practicing ecotherapy doesn’t have to be complicated. The main goal should be to find an activity you can do in nature and see if you enjoy it. That can be a simple walk in the park, resting in your backyard, going on a camping trip, gardening, or any other outdoor activity.
The common forms of ecotherapy include:
- Nature meditation – You can do it alone or in a group setting. The soothing effects of nature combined with meditation can help you relax, calm your stressed mind, and gain a new perspective on life.
- Animal-assisted interventions – Petting or playing with an animal can reduce stress and aggression. That’s why this approach introduces animals to help balance your mind.
- Outdoor exercise – Physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your health. Exercising in nature is even better. And it doesn’t have to be too hard to see the benefits. Walking, jogging, cycling, or doing yoga in your local park can make a huge difference.
- Gardening – Just like animals, plants can promote well-being. Gardening and horticultural activities can reduce your stress levels and burnout. In addition, they are a great way to introduce more physical activity to your everyday life.
- Care farming – Caring for animals, growing crops, and managing woodland can be a great way to restore your balance and fall in love with life again.
- Adventure activities – Partaking in adventurous group activities in nature can be very rewarding. In addition, you get to meet new people and enjoy interesting social interactions. The most common adventurous activities include rock climbing, water rafting, and caving.
You can also enjoy nature arts and crafts, environmental conservation activities, stargazing, forest bathing, and other ecotherapy approaches.
Where to Practice Ecotherapy in Cypress and Northwest Houston, TX?
Natural Remedes offers ecotherapy to anyone in Cypress and Northwest Houston, TX. With a little help from our board-certified naturopathic doctor, Dr. Borislava Johnson, you’ll be able to reap the full benefits of this natural approach. Click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Johnson and discover how ecotherapy can help you improve your well-being.
