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Nature is therapy By Shana Jones
In 2014-2015 , the Bangalore Environment Trust ( named for the populous city in southern India where it is based ) initiated a pilot project in ecotherapy for some of the city ’ s 1,500,000 special needs children . The aim of the project was to see whether “ exposure to nature in all its variety … has therapeutic value for special [ needs ] children ” 1 .
The program combined activities such as going on walks , doing yoga and dancing outside with parental counselling and conventional therapy methods such as cognitive behaviour therapy ( CBT ). At the end of the trial period , the children showed increased curiosity about their natural environment , greater self-confidence , and better interaction among themselves . Researchers also noticed positive changes in the attitudes of the parents towards their children .
Ecotherapy uses exposure to nature to bring about positive outcomes in patients with neurological conditions ( anything from autism to depression to dementia ).