THERAPY
In tune with nat
of the main
things I wanted
was to come
somewhere
where I could
‘One
get away from
things. At Bosence I feel completely
removed from temptation and
can focus on my treatment and
concentrate on getting well.’
Coming down from London
to 22 acres of beautiful Cornish
gardens and woodland, Nick found
a tranquil environment away from
all distractions. Alongside the
detoxification, stabilisation and
round-the-clock nursing support
– including a highly specialised
service for young people – Bosence
has recently introduced an
ecotherapy programme.
Nick can now take part in four
individual weekly sessions:
Propagation, providing clients
with the necessary skills to learn
how to plant seeds and care for
plants.
From the heart of the Cornish countryside
Bosence Farm Community has been developing
ecotherapy, as Tom Packer explains
Herbal tea making, which aims
to promote wellness and relieve
stress by helping participants
to achieve a more relaxed state
of mind. Those taking part are
introduced to a range of herbs and
gain an understanding of how they
nourish the nervous system and
strengthen the immune system.
Nature observation, designed
to promote care, respect and
understanding of the natural
world. Clients learn how to
identify different species of
wildlife and observe and interpret
the environment around them.
Forest bathing and
mindfulness, which teaches
the basic principles of forest
bathing, mindfulness, improving
sensory awareness and breathing
techniques.
‘In the mornings I’ll often take
a walk around the grounds, just to
admire the scenery and breathe
in the country air,’ says Nick. ‘I’ve
really enjoyed the guided nature
walks around the nature trail,
where I have been able to take
part in wildlife surveys, to identify
a range of species. I’ve been
given responsibility to look after
the greenhouses, which I really
appreciate as it’s my way of giving
back and contributing to the dayto-day
running of Bosence. I’ve
learnt so much.’
In an age of technology
there is mounting evidence
to suggest that by pushing
away from nature, we have
begun to lose contact with
a necessary tool for optimal
mental health.
Pioneering research carried
out by R S Ulrich in the late 1970s
examined the psychological
influence of scenes of nature on the
stress experienced by individuals
and medical recovery rates. Ulrich
was able to demonstrate that
observing ‘natural’ scenes increased
feelings of friendliness, affection,
joy and playfulness, boosting the
production of serotonin without the
use of antidepressant medication.
In more recent years there
has been a growing recognition
of ecotherapy and the vital role it
plays in optimising positive mental
health, with a clear application in
supporting individuals to overcome
addiction and maintain long term
recovery. Ecotherapy can also give
people a sense of achievement and
purpose, providing structure and
routine to people who might not
have these in their lives.
A recent article published in New
Scientist explores the importance
of outdoor space and nature in
recovery and mental health. It
describes how in the Shetland
Islands, people with a physical
or mental ill health are being
recommended to ‘take in the sights
and sounds of seabird colonies,
build woodland dens or simply
appreciate the shapes of clouds’.
A New Zealand initiative found
that two-thirds of patients were
‘more active and felt healthier’ six
to eight months after this ‘green
prescription’, it adds, and almost
half had lost weight. ’Meanwhile,
ecotherapy, which involves
participating in outdoor activities
16 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2020
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