By Emma Di Salvo

In today’s world, it is easy to feel disconnected. Disconnected from ourselves, our loved ones, and nature. With so many distractions keeping us from any meaningful thought (reality TV, social media, celebrity gossip, etc.), it’s easy to forget our place in the world and what life is really all about. 

We sometimes forget that we should engage in activities that enhance our lives, give our time on the planet more meaning, and help us grow. Enter ecotherapy.

What Is Ecotherapy?

Ecotherapy involves harnessing the effects of the environment for our emotional and mental well-being. It’s not about hugging trees (although if you feel so inclined, go ahead), but more about being at one with nature and yourself. It encourages you to completely unwind and allow your thoughts to naturally occur without all the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives getting in the way.

This can take the form of a simple stroll in the park, a hike through a forest, a run by the lake, or chilling in your own garden. The aim is to be present, take in the healing power of nature, and just be.

What’s The Point?

I don’t know about you, but much of my spare time is filled with rather meaningless activities. If you put on Netflix, you will be bombarded with reality TV shows, often about relationships, that offer drama just too tempting to be ignored. 

Now I must admit, I think some good can be had from watching these kinds of ‘trashy’ TV shows. It’s easy to view, and you can forget about the daily stresses of your life and switch off. 

But how much is too much? How much time do you spend scrolling on your phone? Watching YouTube videos? Taking selfies? 

Even when we leave the house, we document our lives for the world to see. Why are we doing this? Is it for us or for the benefit of other people? When was the last time you went for a walk in the park with a friend or partner and didn’t take pictures? Just enjoyed your surroundings and each other? 

We are not living in the moment. This is why ecotherapy is so important.

What Does Science Say?

Immersing oneself in nature has been shown to reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology discovered that people who spend more time doing nature-based activities experience higher levels of overall life satisfaction than those who do not. 

It’s not really surprising when you think about it. A lot of the time, if we’re feeling overwhelmed, what do we do? Go for a walk to clear our head. 

Another study by The University of Exeter showed that people who live near nature experience significantly lower levels of mental health-related problems than those who don’t. Maybe it is time to move to the countryside?! 

But there is more. Another great thing about immersing yourself in nature is being around wildlife. I know from my own personal experience that being in the presence of animals helps decrease my anxiety and makes me feel calmer. Well, unless it’s a tiger or bear, perhaps!

Ecotherapy has been shown to help people who are experiencing mild to moderate depression. Approximately 280 million people worldwide suffer from depression, which can happen to anyone at any time. It is vital that this is something we should all care about, as we never know when a loved one or ourselves will be affected. 

Being at one with nature has also been shown to help people who suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), a type of depression that affects people during particular seasons. Getting out into natural daylight can balance our inner turmoil. 

Make A Difference 

As mentioned, there are lots of activities to do outside the home that involve nature. But if you want to make a real difference, there are ways that you can help the environment while also taking care of yourself at the same time. 

Wildlife Trusts are always happy to take on volunteers, and being part of a Conservation Group can also be lots of fun and extremely rewarding. Have a look in your local area and see what’s going on. This could be the start of something great! 

Ecotherapy encourages us all to spend more time in nature. Whether riding our bikes, hiking, or a leisurely stroll, we could all benefit from spending a little more time in the sun. Since it can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, conditions that so many of us will experience or have experienced at least once in our lives, it is worth trying. 

If we spend less time partaking in meaningless hobbies and make our leisure pursuits meaningful, we will find ourselves happier, healthier, and more thoughtful beings.