Eco-therapy is a counselling approach that promotes healing and psychological growth which is nurtured and enhanced by experiences with nature. It is considered to be applied Eco-psychology, just as psychotherapy is Applied, or Clinical, Psychology. Eco-therapy is consciously and purposefully spending time in the outdoors to gain healthful benefits that are needed, noticed, or sought after.
Here are certain activities which you can practice to improve your mood :
- Walking – A gentle walk as often as you can manage will do wonders for your mood. A spare 5-10 minutes stroll can clear your mind and get some fresh air to your lungs.
- Nature Sounds : Nature sounds are so relaxing. The woods is a great place to go away from any noise pollution. Falling that there are great audio’s available to listen to at home through music applications like Spotify or Youtube.
- Look Up : Take the time to enjoy the sky once in a while. We spend most of our time looking at the ground. There is a whole other world up there. Take a blanket outside, lie and watch.
- Get Planting : You don’t have to be an expert gardener. Planting seeds and growing just a few plants and flowers can have a huge impact on your mood. It connects you to nature and gives you a sense of achievement as they grow and flourish.
You can change your biochemistry with these simple Ecotherapy practice, with continued practice you will begin to notice its profound healing effects on the body, heart and mind. Over time your inner nature sanctuary will become as easy to access as a deep breath and a turn of your attention. As the inevitable stresses of daily life mount and you can’t get out for a walk in nature, simply retreat to this place, the beauty of nature in your heart.
Caution : When out in nature be careful not to damage sensitive areas like meadows and wetlands. In addition, be aware of potential dangers to yourself such as inclement weather, unstable surfaces, cliffs and high water.
Being out in nature is actually one of the best therapies there is – and it is free!
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I agree with you. According to research, “people today spend up to 25 percent less time enjoying nature than people did just 20 years ago.” This nature deprivation is defined as a lack of time in the natural world, largely due to hours spent looking down at screens. It has been associated, unsurprisingly, with depression. Studies also show that without regular immersion in nature, we can suffer physical and emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and obesity. It seems that the more stressed out and busy we get, the less time we have to experience time in nature.
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I live in the Rocky mountains and spend as much time outdoors as possible. I really notice the positive effect it has on my mood, and on my health in general. I’ve read a few books on the topic too, and am definitely a believer!!!
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Yes indeed it has a positive effect. Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.
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Only 5%
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Nice post 👍
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Glad you liked it Deepika. Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. Thank you for stopping by today.
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Yes Garima. Totally agree. Fresh morning breeze, beautiful blooms, chirping birds are all very inviting.
Thanks for sharing this very informative post. 👍
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Thank you Deepika. I am glad you like my posts.
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Like that anecdote “Inner nature Sanctuary”. Loved that. And the precautions in the end. True that. I love gazing at the sky and dozing off to sleep. Something I used to do in childhood. And walking and nature sounds is anyways there. I feel, you follow all of the third aforementioned isn’t it 🙂 . My guess – Planting tops your list?
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Hi Manohar, well I am a nature sound person. Spotify and YouTube and my favourites :):)
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🙂
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Planning on a walk on the beach today while everyone is filling their carts; I choose to recharge. Much Love & beautiful share!
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Hey Crystal, There’s something about listening to the waves, breathing in that salty ocean air, splashing about in the water and feeling the sand between my toes that makes me feel grounded, free and at peace. They say that being in nature has a healing, calming and rejuvenating effect, but you don’t always have to be surrounded by greenery the beach is just as good at improving the way you feel and helping you put all your thoughts and feelings into perspective.
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Wonderful tips. Thank you!
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I am glad you liked them Cole. We have quickly become an indoor species. That is why such a simple thing as walking in nature can have such a profound effect on our bodies. The truth is we need nature; we need a calm space away from technology to let our eyes rest and mind wander. Nature-based therapy is not a new concept, but those words can be considered an umbrella term for a diverse range of psychotherapeutic and allied practices. Experiences and activities in nature are used to heal.
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Nature’s sounds mean a lot to me. I treasure them. Sometimes I meet people on a hiking trail, and they have headphones on. I want to say, “You’re missing half the beauty out here.”
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Exactly Priscilla. Nature sounds have a subconscious influence on your brain that`s why you will start to feel joy and happiness. Psychological research shows that nature sounds and calm music reduce the negative effects of depression by 20-25 %.
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My regular walks have been so invigorating and I now see nature’s beauty up close. It has opened my eyes to a much bigger picture and has enhanced my awareness and peace. Thanks for your post! 😎
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I love walking too. Brisk walking boosts endorphins, the feel-good hormones that improve your mood and lower stress and mild depression. And while countryside walks cannot cure mental illness, the combination of exercise, solitude, quiet and the beauty of the natural world can be incredibly calming and restorative.
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Best
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Glad you liked them Mayur.
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Welcome
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🙂
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Wonderful advice!
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I am glad you liked it. Ecotherapy refers to experiential, therapeutic and personal growth activities that take place in relation to nature, most often outdoors, with a focus on fostering individual and relational healing while also nurturing healthy interactions with the earth and other living beings. Many physical and mental health imbalances reflect the largely unnatural lives we live, disconnected from the natural world and its rhythms. And yet, we are part of and inseparable from the natural world, no matter how advanced we become technologically.
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Yes, I really think this is true. I practice connecting by being outdoors, mostly walking.
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🙂
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😊
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Sharing an exp: Whenever I walk over a bridge, I spend few seconds on it, look up, enjoy the view of the sky and then leave. Simply feels good.
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Nature does that to us. It’s a beautiful experience isn’t it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Of course
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🙂
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Very nice
Thoughtful
.I looked up as soon as I read it and I saw a brighter sun in the sky
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Excellent 🙂
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🙂
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Indians by nature are indoor people today. There used to be a practice called ‘VaaaBhojanam’ in the just-ended Kartika month where several families join in having lunch in a garden or a forest. City dwellers hardly ever do it now. Camping out in tents is fun, but very rare in India. An outdoors moment is badly needed in this country where there is no dearth of nature.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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