Experts believe green ecotherapy will help improve mental and physical well-being. We have always known that exercising outdoors is beneficial to our health. However, doing green exercise more often is now a type of formal treatment. Exercising in natural spaces is probably going to be one of the biggest wellness trends in 2020, even though we have known for years that going for a walk outside can do your health wonders.
The scary thing about our world today is how common it is for people to experience mental health problems. It’s no joke. Every one in six adults experiences mental health problems like depression or anxiety every week. In fact, mental health is one of the most common causes of disease worldwide and is only going to get worse. That’s why it’s crucial that we find more ways to help us nurture our mental health to survive.
Life is difficult and can sometimes be very disheartening. Sometimes it gets the best of us which is why it’s important to participate in activities that provide you with a sense of purpose, reward, and achievement. Green ecotherapy is highly rewarding. It can be easy to feel demotivated by life, especially when there’s no reward involved. Green exercise can help you create routine and structure when life is chaotic, especially when you are experiencing poor mental health. Humans require structure and routine to thrive, so it is vital that we create it. It’s the one thing that employment does right for our health.
1. Green Ecotherapy Will Save Us
Every person should give green ecotherapy a try. But the most important aspect is to ensure that every session has a clear purpose. That way it gives you the wonderful opportunity to work towards something every time. It’s important that a therapist works closely with the client to work towards achieving this aim.
For example, in the case of an ecotherapy gardening project, the aim might be to develop a community garden. The recreational activities, the specific environment, types, and frequency of social interaction, and purpose of the chosen activity are all driven by the participant.
Most of our time is spent inside, stuck in artificial buildings or offices, and glued to our mobile phones. Technology in 2020 is only going to get more prominent. This is why we need to make a conscious effort to get outside. Green exercise and spending more time in nature are where our minds have switched. Ecotherapy, also called ‘green therapy’ or ‘nature therapy’, aims to provide balancing and calming effects on our physiology.
Nature can help lower blood pressure, slow down your breath, and improve your mental health. This is because the more green exercise you do, the more you’re able to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress. There are many forms of green exercise but the top green ecotherapy practice is called grounding. According to experts, this involves walking barefoot outside, discharging the positive charge we build up throughout the day, returning our bodies to a neutral state.
Other types of green exercise you can consider trying are meditation in nature, forest bathing (shinrin-yoku), horticultural therapy and simply working out outside.
2. Earthing Yourself is Real
There are a lot of false health claims out there, but there is quite a bit of evidence to prove the benefits of grounding yourself to Earth. Many people are starting to practice this daily to connect their bodies to Earth. They do this by touching their skin to a conductive material like grass (preferably wet), wet sand, a river, lake, or sea. Why?
Apparently, when our body loses contact with the earth it can carry a positive voltage relative to the earth. Some people believe this is not good for health and well-being. Earthing the body returns the voltage to zero which is supposedly better for us. There might also be science to back up barefoot, green ecotherapy too.
During the normal processes of metabolism, the body generates what are called ‘reactive oxygen species which are commonly referred to as ‘free radicals’. These compounds appear to be important, at least in part because they have the ability to attack and destroy unwanted things within the body, including bacteria and viruses.
However, too many free radicals are a bad thing. These can cause chronic disease, inflammation and speed up the process of aging. We need electrons to get rid of free radicals. Humans get these through polyphenols found in plant substances like tea, coffee, cocoa, and apples. However, substances we eat and drink are not the only way to get electrons into the body. Earthing does this too. If the body has a positive charge on it, earthing allows electrons to flow into the body where, in theory, they can neutralize overblown free radical and inflammatory damage.
Therefore, carrying a positive charge might positively affect the body in lots of different ways, which means that earthing may offer a range of well-being benefits.
3. Green Ecotherapy Is All Natural
Nothing is stopping you from getting some green exercise today on your own. However, we often tend to forget the value of being guided by a trained therapist and their key role in facilitating the client’s interactions with both the natural and social environment as well as setting clinical aims. Whether you’re trying out ecotherapy with a trained therapist, any activity includes walking, hiking, farming, woodland walks, and natural art and crafts. Like the client, the therapist actively takes part in the green ecotherapy session; in fact, it’s often difficult to distinguish between the client and therapist.
However, why should we believe that green ecotherapy is highly beneficial to our mental health? Previous studies show that natural environments are good for both mental and physical health. Apparently, natural activities like walking or running in a public park can provide a range of health benefits, including reduced stress, improved mood, well-being, and self-esteem. In addition, spending time outside makes you more inclined to want to exercise. Not only will you be spending more time going for a hike, but you’ll also experience moderately vigorous physical activity. In fact, green exercise has proven to be more beneficial than indoor exercise.
Better yet, most outdoor activities involve other people which forces you to socialize more. According to experts, loneliness and social isolation are twice as harmful to health as obesity. Moreover, it is worse than no exercise at all and smoking cigarettes. You will live a longer and happier life by socializing more and building strong relationships, especially through green exercise.
4. Ecotherapy Provides Structure
Face it or not, humans require structure to lead healthy and happy lives. Structure and routine provide you with a sense of achievement and purpose especially if you’re lacking it in your current lifestyle. Most studies about ecotherapy consist of qualitative data. For example, this program reportedly improved physical and mental health and provided daily structure and routine. It also allowed participants to learn new skills and socialize.
Hardcore evidence or not. Ecotherapy programs result in significant improvements in self-esteem, well-being, and social inclusion from the start of their treatment. Green exercise also helped them feel more connected to nature. Their moods improved, as feelings of anger, tension, depression, and confusion all disappeared after just one ecotherapy session.
The reported benefits are endless and can also help reduce physiological stress. As well as a range of psychiatric illnesses, including bipolar disorder, major depression, better well-being and even encouraging social engagement for people with dementia.
Bottom Line
There is no doubt being active outdoors is going to do wonders for your health. Do yourself the biggest favor and get moving outside. Get more green ecotherapy. Don’t stay trapped inside all day every day. Your life and happiness will take a knock.
Want to know more?
Enjoyed reading about ecotherapy? You can also read how to de-stress yourself so that you can have the most successful and relaxing experience possible this year. 2020 is an even number, so we believe it’s going to be a great one! Defy aging with these five destress tips.
References
Ecotherapy aims to tap into nature to improve your well-being. Medical Xpress. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-01-ecotherapy-aims-nature-wellbeing.html
9 New Wellness Trends We Can’t-Wait to Try this Year. Camille Styles. https://camillestyles.com/wellness/9-new-wellness-trends-we-cant-wait-to-try-this-year/
‘Earthing’ – important discovery or mumbo-jumbo? Dr.Briffa – A Good Look at Good Health. http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/04/18/earthing-important-discovery-or-mumbo-jumbo/
Effects of Various Horticultural Activities. American Society for Horticultural Science. https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/20/6/article-p971.xml
