What is ecotherapy?

Ecotherapy is a type of treatment which aims to boost mental wellbeing through outdoor activity. This therapy seeks to utilise green spaces and soothing action to incite peace, perseverance, and perspective in patients suffering with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Those recovering from serious illness or injury are often prone to these mood disorders, especially if they are dealing with profound physical changes that necessitate a new way of life. Ecotherapy is therefore beneficial, alongside other forms of therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBD) and physical care or medication.

Common types of ecotherapy

Ecotherapy comes in many guises but should always be led by trained professionals. Common types of ecotherapy include:

Green exercise – exercising in nature reduces the risk of poor mental health, whereas indoor workouts only work to alleviate symptoms

Green care – programmes that stimulate our instinctive connection with nature

Horticultural therapy – tending plants in a social situation to re-establish self-confidence and communication

The mental benefits of ecotherapy

Perspective and resilience

Often, serious illness or injury has life-altering consequences. Loss of limb is an example of this, which can leave someone wheelchair-bound and suffering with phantom limb pain.

Alongside seeking resolution through amputation claims and talking to professional counsellors, amputees can find time in nature to be beneficial in building resilience. Connecting with the wider world is an effective way of improving perspective, especially in the early stages following surgery where denial and fear about the future are common.

Emotional healing

Human beings have a primal connection with nature. We are wired to have positive physical reactions when outdoors, including reduced blood pressure and lower levels of cortisol.

Having more control over our physical responses allows for greater emotional healing. This is because it allows us to analyse the situation unencumbered by feelings of panic, moving our minds away from ‘worst case scenario’ thoughts and towards acceptance.

Positive distraction

On a simple level, ecotherapy provides positive distraction. Performing actions in picturesque surroundings helps to keep people locked in the here and now. With them focused on their activity of choice.

This is particularly effective in helping patients to manage grief and extreme depression. It is a reminder that life goes on despite significant set-backs, and there is joy to be found in the present.

The bonus of physical rehabilitation

As an added bonus, ecotherapy is also useful physical rehabilitation following serious illness or injury.

Something as simple as gardening or walking amongst the trees leads to improved mobility. Outdoor yoga can be performed to benefit balance and breathing. More vigorous exercising has an abundance of advantages for those in physical recovery such as strengthening weak muscles and building up cardiovascular fitness.