How Spending Time in Nature Bolsters Our Mental Health

As we continue our discussion this month on PTSD and trauma, we turn our attention to nature’s role in healing. Spending time in nature can impact our metal health in a variety of positive ways. Did you know that research showed that people recover from surgery faster is they have a window facing nature in their hospital room? Nature increases focus, relaxation, and even improves symptoms of ADHD. Further, Francine Shapiro, the creator of Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), which is a leading treatment for trauma and PTSD, accidentally uncovered the effective mechanism in her treatment while on a walk. Bilateral Stimulation or BLS is used in the treatment approach to help people sort and reprocess memories, and it occurs somewhat naturally in our bodies and we sway back and forth while walking. Add in the soft focus and attention that emerges when we are in natural landscapes, and you have a recipe for healing.

Here are some of the main benefits of spending time in nature while in the counseling relationship, and how it can positively impact our mental health.

1. Enhanced Relaxation and Emotional Release: Nature provides a tranquil and restorative environment that helps people feel more relaxed and open, facilitating deeper emotional processing.

2. Stress Reduction and Mood Improvement: The natural setting can significantly reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall mood and well-being.

3. Increased Connection and Mindfulness: Being in nature fosters a sense of connectedness to oneself and the environment, promoting mindfulness and presence during therapy sessions.

4. Therapeutic Environment: Ecotherapists believe that the natural surroundings enhance the therapeutic process, making it more effective compared to traditional indoor settings.

By joining with a therapist in a natural environment to process trauma can enhance the effectiveness of the therapeutic approach. It also creates a less stuffy, nontraditional environment that can help you let your guard down a little faster, find metaphors and connections where you might not have before, and it has the added benefit of providing exercise or other creative approaches in combination with with the therapeutic processing. Even if you choose not to engage in nature therapy, it can be very beneficial to take a walk, meditate, or simply tune out the inner chaos for a bit in a natural environment. IT could provide you with a greater sense of peace and tranquillity, that we all need in a fast-paced, technology-filled environment.