‘Nature in our daily life should be thought of as part of our biological need’– Christopher Alexander from ‘A Pattern Language’
What is Nature Therapy?
Nature therapy is an emerging form of psychotherapy based on the idea that we are all connected to and impacted by the natural environment. A growing body of scientific research supports the benefits of feeling connected with nature and its positive effects on our mental and physical wellbeing. In one study, conducted by Mind, a mental health organisation in the UK, just taking a walk in a natural environment reduced symptoms of depression by seventy one percent of participants. Research has also shown that the beneficial effects of spending time in nature are especially pronounced when they are experienced through all five senses.
Outdoor activities such as walking, gardening, surfing or running can all help to reduce feelings of stress and lower our cortisol levels, the fight or flight hormone. But nature-induced health benefits can also occur from situations that might not seem as obvious, such as seeing trees or green fields through a window or cycling along a towpath beside a river on the way to work. Choosing to act with environment-friendly awareness, by recycling household items, avoiding single use plastics and by being involved with nature conservation, for example, are all ways by which we can feel more connected to nature.
Interaction with nature through our senses
Direct interaction with nature can also provide a vital grounding force in the midst of the ups and downs of our daily lives – it literally brings us down to earth and reminds us that we are a part of the natural world. The vibrant green scent of aromatic herbs; the brilliant radiance of a vase of fresh flowers; the grainy textural feel of wood; the enveloping warmth from the flickering flames of an open fire – all these sensory experiences raise simple, but primeval emotional responses within us, which are comforting, nourishing and reassuring. By surrounding ourselves with elements from nature in our homes, we are simultaneously elevating our senses and soothing our souls at a very primal level.
This might involve making adaptations to the spaces and places in which we live by choosing sustainable materials to furnish and employ in our homes. This includes switching to botanically based cleaning products, such as using a lemon or eucalyptus essential oil to disinfect surfaces, adopting natural aromatics as room fresheners, such as our range of diffusion blends, and scenting laundry with natural aromatics, like lavender or bergamot oil. According to Gardeners World, mixing peppermint or lavender essential oil with water then spraying the mixture onto entry points like windowsills or door frames can even help to repel ants from invading our home. Choose organic products, such as our range of organic botanicals, as well as organically produced foodstuffs whenever possible.
A greener & more responsible life
Ensuring that we use only non-toxic substances within our immediate environment, including in our garden, helps restore a sense of individual responsibility and empowerment. In her book, ’60 Days to a Greener Life’, Heather White reminds us that it took one generation to change the lives of women forever by petitioning for the vote and that a collective effort today can bring about a widespread change of attitude towards our environment:
‘Individual action drives culture change, and without culture change, global policies and market solutions will not work.’
Organic production is a major part of this movement and one of the driving forces in environmental conservation. Most of the world’s population now lives in urban environments, with exposure to air, water and noise pollution commonplace. At the same time, rates of mental illnesses including anxiety and depression are rising globally. By making small changes to our everyday lives, whether we live in a city or the countryside, we can all help to address these wider ecological and sociological issues. Studies have shown that simply having contact with nature on a daily basis can help us to feel more at ease with ourselves. This is in direct contrast to the massive increase in stress-related complaints such as fear, anxiety, depression, hypertension and ADHD which are so widespread today, also amongst children.