Ecotherapy Activities

These activities consist of exercise for both the body and mind that incorporate nature. It is meant to improve your mind just like regular therapy. In further research, E.O. Wilson claimed that humans are biophiles meaning we have an innate love of nature because it’s where we grew and evolved as a species.

Here are several activities that may improve your mental health:

Animal Assistance

Animal Assistance has been around for decades. This form of therapy has shown that building a bond with an animal can help people develop a better sense of self worth, trust, stabilize their emotions, improve their communication, self regulation, and socialization skills. Animals provide a sense of calm, comfort, safety and divert attention away from stressful factors. This practice can be used for individuals or groups. Studies have shown positive results in people with mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, drug addiction, and even schizophrenia. This form of therapy also has shown results of increased confidence!

Nature Meditation

Nature meditation is exactly what it sounds like. This activity helps reduce stress, improves mental cognition, flexibility, and sleep habits. Studies have shown that a connection to nature is correlated to feeling happier and more content. This practice activates senses and makes them appear heightened. This activity will be sure to give you the peace of mind you are looking for.

Wilderness Therapy

This activity is also known as outdoor behavioral healthcare. Wilderness therapy is an adventure-based activity that promotes behavioral modifications and interpersonal self improvement based in a wilderness setting. This activity commonly introduces volunteers to the three-day effect. This is the concept of the brain needing three days to rest enough to function optimally. This is more helpful when completed with a group that focuses on trust-building exercises and the lack of exposure to technology. The activity provides a secure, non-critical, supportive environment for self-discovery. It is modeled to mimic challenges and pressure a person may face within family or social structure, but delivers them in a safe atmosphere. In this activity a person may learn to develop healthy relationships, live within boundaries, and to have the ability to accept and process feedback properly. This can also help develop self-confidence, communication skills, cooperative skills, and trust.

Social & Therapeutic Horticulture

Social and therapeutic is the process of using plants and gardens to improve physical and mental health as well as communication and thinking skills. This activity helps improve memory, cognition, language skills, and socialization.

Green Gyms & Exercising Outdoors

Green gyms typically work towards conservation and are group based. Volunteers take part in practical environmental activities such as planting trees, food growing and maintenance of outdoor spaces. The group is to participate in warm up and cool down exercises as well. This activity helps regulate anxiety and depression, reduces isolation, increases fitness, and betters an individual’s mental wellbeing.

Refresh Series: Ecotherapy Activities

Taking care of trees and customers daily.

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