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Mindfulness is encouraged , and because ecotherapy embraces a harmonious co-existence with nature , so is environmental awareness . Respect for the natural environment is foundational here , says Nicholls : “ you can ’ t have ecotherapy and not care about ecology ”.
Like the conventional clinical methods it supports , a patient ’ s ecotherapy program is carefully tailored to his or her needs , taking into consideration personal preference , access to nature , mobility , and affordability . “ Forest bathing ” ( mindful walks in the forest ) and walks along the beach are optimal , but for a patient living in an urban centre , a walk through a local greenspace or simple star-gazing at night can be just as meaningful . Likewise , nurturing a house plant or journaling about scenes of nature can shift the mood of a house-bound elderly patient . In all cases , the experience elicits positive feelings such as peace , calm , and security ( some patients report a feeling of security simply from leaning against a tree ), which then manifest in behaviour later on .
It ' s no wonder , then , that the American Psychological Association has recognized ecotherapy as a valuable tool in conventional therapy for many neurological ( brainrelated ) conditions . Anyone can benefit from ecotherapy , but it can be especially valuable for the elderly , who are prone to suffering from depression , anxiety , dementia , Alzheimer ’ s disease and psychological disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia . As such , they prove to be excellent candidates for ecotherapy interventions and the additional side benefits of increased social interaction and physical activity . Ecotherapists might recommend joining a walking group , birdwatching or feeding at a local park , going on picnics , or kite flying . Meditating to nature sounds and sitting outside or near a window with a view can be beneficial to lessmobile people . Such activities have been shown to sharpen focus and memory , increase energy levels , boost immunity , induce feelings of relaxation and motivation , and improve mood in elderly patients 1 .
Most of Nicholls ’ elderly patients have suffered a stroke , have early dementia or experience “ pseudo-dementia ”, a perceived state of dementia brought on by depression . She works with each individual patient to find out what works and pairs it with traditional therapy methods . In some sessions , she watches nature videos with her patients ; in others , they work with rocks and leaves . Her less-mobile patients are encouraged to grow small plants .
The importance of nature in our healing and well-being cannot be overstated , but it seems that rather than discover a new therapy approach , all we ’ ve done is finally appreciate the value of something that ’ s always been there . Over time , we humans have forced ourselves away from nature and into chemical-filled , machine-saturated , nongreen environments and then turned to synthetic ( sometimes harmful ) solutions to restore order . Says Nicholls , “ our brains are not built for 4 walls [ or ] screens ; our brains are built for nature ”, which is why we feel unexplained harmony and peace when we engage with it . What ’ s more , with an appreciation of the natural environment , we become more mindful of its needs and how we should co-exist with it . So , whether you ’ re a workaholic , a “ tree-hugger ”, or a senior struggling with depression , know that you have at your fingertips the oldest , easiest , most universal remedy for your condition : Mother Nature .