History
According to environmental author Howard Clinebell, ecotherapy refers to healing and growth practiced with a healthy relation to the earth. Other names include green therapy, ecopsychology, and earth-centered therapy (Buzzell and Chalquist, pg 18). Ecotherapy is a large umbrella term that includes nature walks, camping, gardening, swimming, and many more activities. Ecotherapy is a tool intended to relieve wellness, particularly mental wellness. Additionally, it can provide health benefits and education benefits (such as a larger appreciation for the environment.) This form of therapy is not mainstream, but there is enough information for me to obtain. Most research is based off anecdotes; however, there are some people who have conducted in-depth research.
Author Roger S. Ulrich explains the effect in evolutionary terms: Natural environments trigger positive emotional reactions because observing nature was once important for humans’ survival (The Atlantic). In another study, researchers observed children with ADHD in a park, and concluded that their attention span had increased. Many argue that these findings have more to do with mood and behavior than biology—but mood and behavior are intimately tied to physical well-being (The Atlantic). I believe that people are overstimulated by everyday normalities, like computers, cell phones, television, work or school, etc.
Importance
Ecotherapy produces behaviors such as “waste recycling, energy, water, and gasoline conservation, and adoption of new technology” (Garling, pg 2). Currently, ecotherapy is another form of therapy intended to help people cope with the increase in diagnosed mental health issues as well as increase of general stress. Although its not quite mainstream, people choose ecotherapy because it’s cost efficient, requires no insurance, and it can be done alone or without a formal therapist (although there are therapists that specialize in ecotherapy right here in Austin!). Extreme advocates of ecotherapy believe our current way of life is dysfunctional. Some may believe that society simply adds anxiety, depression, and stress, and people should reconnect with nature and one’s own body. They may also believe that other forms of therapy (talking about childhood, taking Prozac, cognitive therapy) are simply “band-aid solutions” (Buzzell and Chalquist, pg 20).
Research Process
I personally do not believe ecotherapy is a replacement for medication; however, I think its benefits are worth exploring. For the purpose of my research, I plan to survey others about their experience with ecotherapy. The surveys will be separated into those with and without mental health issues. These issues can be mild to severe, and as a fellow mental health advocate, I plan to approach possible participants with gentleness and curiosity. If they wish, the participant can specify what mental health issues they deal with, if any. They can also choose not to answer that question. I will conduct surveys later in my blog post.
Possible survey questions:
- How long did you spend outdoors?
- Please describe the location.
- What activities did you engage in, if any?
- Did you encounter wildlife?
- On a scale of 1 (least) to 10 (most), how stressed did you feel during your time outdoors?
- Did you experience any psychological effects, such as improved self-esteem, decrease anxiety, increased focus?
My Personal Experience
For my first major nature reflection, I decided to engage in ecotherapy. During my research, I found a practice called Shinrin-yoku, literally meaning ‘forest bathing’. The idea of shinrin-yoku goes beyond simply being in the forest. Instead, the Japanese practice encourages you to take walks in nature, observe your senses, and acknowledge the naturally healing environment.
With ecotherapy and shinrin-yoku in my mind, I decided to go camping with my university’s outdoor adventure club. About ten other students and I went to Pedernales Falls State Park, about 45 minutes from Austin, TX, and camped for two nights.
An important aspect of shinrin-yoku is to consciously engage with the atmosphere. I tapped into my senses –I smelled the odor of the trees, the grass, the trail. I heard the creek nearby. I took in the forest scenery, the sunrise I woke up to see, the night sky and the many stars. Whenever I paused to take in these senses, I felt less stressed. I used my fitbit to see my pulse rate, which was a bit lower than average. (I later compared this number with my pulse rate when I was in a stressful situation, and it was much lower.) I continued to jot down notes about the environment. Because I enjoy writing, I decided to journal exactly what I saw, what I sensed, and what I emotionally felt.
I thought there would be a variety of trees in the park, but everywhere I looked I only saw Ashe Junipers (Juniperus ashei). A park specialist told me that they drained large amounts of water and spread over most other tree species. Some of them were low to the ground and bush-like without tall trunks, and others were quite tall. Its bark is shaggy and rot resistant (commonly used for fence posts and telephone poles, according to Wildflower.org), and its foliage is dark-green, and, if it’s a female, it’s accompanied by small, blueish berries. Despite the lack of tree diversity in my area, Ashe Junipers attracted many types of butterflies. I spent time studying one yellow butterfly, which most likely was a Mimosa Yellow (Eurema nise).
The air in Pedernales is clean and light. When journaling my surroundings, I felt very peaceful and natural. Reflecting on the experience, I noticed that one of my natural talents is input (taking in information, jotting it down, storing it in my memory). I think that’s why I fell in love with writing so much.
Exercise
A big piece of ecotherapy is exercise or physical activity. I’m not an avid exerciser, but I do enjoy occasional hiking. I admit that I don’t regularly exercise unless I’m fast-walking from class to class or from shop to shop. When we began hiking, I noticed my breathing quickened to keep up with my legs. It felt good. I didn’t have any responsibilities, and I could just walk without worries. I walked, and I focused on the gravel under my shoes. I quietly acknowledged that I zoned out a couple times, lost somewhere in my head.
My thoughts are constantly racing, even right before I sleep. When I was hiking, I had the opportunity to slow the activity in my head. When it was time to sleep, I noticed I fell asleep earlier and felt well rested. Even after my camping trip, I would wake up at 8am (which contrasts me waking up right before class), and I fell asleep around 11pm (which contrasts me staying up until midnight). I’m definitely not a morning person, but I enjoyed waking up at 8am the few weeks after the camping trip. During this time, I felt more productive and more awake.
Friends
Ecotherapy can be done alone or with a group. In any sense, it provides a creative way to meet new people, which can help feelings of loneliness, depression, and self-esteem (Farmer, pg. 2). On the trails, sometimes I’d walk a little ahead of the group and sometimes I’d stick and chat. The ability to choose how much interaction I had positively impacted my experience (as opposed to forced social interaction).
What’s Next?
In my next entry, survey results will be in!
Citations
- Buzzell, Linda, and Craig Chalquist. Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind. San Francisco: Sierra Club, 2009. Print. (see http://www.ecotherapyheals.com)
- Farmer, Paul. “Ecotherapy for Mental Health.” Journal of Holistic Healthcare 11.1 (n.d.): n. pag. JSTOR [JSTOR]. Web. Mar. 2014.
- Gärling, Tommy. “Past and Present Environmental Psychology.” European Psychologist 19.2 (2014): 127-31
- http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/10/the-nature-cure/403210/
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/out-the-darkness/201204/the-power-nature-ecotherapy-and-awakening