Ecotherapy for Wellbeing

Many people find that regular, intentional time in nature provides both immediate stress relief and longer-term wellbeing benefits.

They can be summarised as follows:
• Lower perceived stress levels.
• Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Improved attention and concentration.
• Better sleep quality.
• Increased physical activity.
• Greater sense of social connection e.g. nature-based groups
• Enhanced feelings of meaning and connection to the environment.

Modern life has contributed to a disconnection from nature that is now clearly seen as detrimental to our sense of wellbeing and increasing mental health distress and difficulties across all ages and modern societies. However, as biological beings, we are naturally drawn to the natural world (the Biophilia hypothesis), and therefore developing a connection with the environment and spending time outdoors is found to be not only beneficial but essential to our general physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

This is reflected in the growing number of nature-based activities provided locally via social and green prescribing e.g. when somebody is referred by their GP or social worker to local services such as nature-based projects, art and craft, yoga, movement, etc to promote wellbeing and reduce social isolation.