11 Ways to Enjoy Nature as Therapy

13.06.2024 WELLNESS 0.0 0

enjoy nature as therapy

Spending time outdoors is one of the easiest and most cost-efficient ways to ease a troubled mind. Just thirty minutes of sun each day helps your body absorb UVB rays and make vitamin D. Vitamin D is crucial for supporting healthy brain activity and protecting your immune system.

Engaging with nature can significantly improve your mental health because physical activity produces endorphins. These “feel-good” receptors in your brain reduce stress, elevate your mood, help you sleep better, and balance out other hormones. On days when you’re feeling down in the dumps, try one of these 11 ways to enjoy nature as therapy.

1. Take a Hike on a New Trail

Explore your local greenbelt and find a new trail to explore. Not only is hiking great for your health but watching wildlife in their natural habitats is soothing. As you follow the trail path, notice how the squirrels chase each other up trees and the birds gather materials for their nests. Elevated hiking is also great for your cardiovascular health and reduces anxiety.

2. Start a Garden

You don’t have to leave your home to connect with nature. Turn your lawn into a garden and use your time sowing, planting, and watering as meditation. Caring for and growing living things connects you to nature in a way that hiking cannot. Watching seeds grow into sprouts, then grow leaves and fruit is an amazing process that lifts your spirit. The sense of accomplishment when your first bell pepper grows is unmatched.

3. Find a Watering Hole

Go for a dip in the pool or discover a local watering hole you’ve never been to. Swimming is another fun exercise that doesn’t even feel like working out. The water’s calming effects boost your relaxation receptors and can melt away your worries. If swimming isn’t your thing, other water activities like kayaking and paddleboarding are great for connecting with natural bodies of water.

4. Sit in the Sun

While it may sound simple, sitting in the sun is the best way to boost your mental health. Spending time outside and taking in nature is also known as the Japanese art of “Shinrin-Yoku.” This directly translates to “forest bathing.” Studies have found that spending time in green spaces can prevent mental health disorders. Many therapists even recommend sun lights or infrared light therapy for people who don’t get enough sun. The sun sends UVB rays down to Earth, which our skin absorbs and turns into vitamin D.

5. Watch the Birds

An outdoor activity taking off in popularity is birdwatching. Birders are slowing down on hikes and pulling out their binoculars to spot common and elusive birds. Check out a birdwatching book from your local library and take a pen and pad down to your local park. See how many of the local birds you can spot.

6. Go for a Long Walk with a Friend

You don’t have to enjoy your time in nature alone. Long walks with friends are great for decompressing and catching up. Try to stay away from setting a time or mile limit on your long walk. See how far you and your friends can walk without thinking about having to turn around or how far away you are from your car.

7. Take a Trip to a State Park

Physically get away from your day-to-day life with a trip to a nearby state or national park. Take a day trip and explore different trailheads or plan a camping adventure. Many state and national parks offer camping permits or have log cabins you can stay in.

8. Plan a Picnic at the Park

Plan a picnic for yourself and a few friends at a scenic spot. That spot could be a hill overlooking the cityscape or a waterside park. Don’t forget a blanket to sit on and tasty snacks and beverages. Picnics combine the joy of eating with the benefits of being outdoors, plus being surrounded by loved ones enhances your overall well-being.

9. Stargaze at Night

Wait for the sun to go down on a summer night and turn your gaze to the stars. Stargazing can be a cathartic activity as you look out into the cosmos and imagine the infinite deep space that we exist in. Phone apps can point out constellations, planets, and stars for you, and a telescope can give you a more up-close look at our neighboring celestial objects.

10. Animal Therapy

Sometimes a trip to the zoo or the aquarium is enough to reduce stress and anxiety. Animals are cute and so different from (or so much alike) humans that their mere presence can bring a sense of comfort. This is known as animal therapy. You can sit with a dog or cat at home for companionship or emotional support, but visiting a petting zoo gets you in touch with the more exotic side of nature.

11. Meditate Outside

Meditation is a relaxing form of stress reduction that connects your spiritual side with your physical side. When you meditate, you are finding that balance within yourself and clearing your mind. Meditate outside and focus on the smells, sounds, and sights of nature around you. Hear the birds chirp and feel the wind brush against you as it rustles in the trees. Fifteen minutes of deep breathing and meditation outside can boost your mood and ease your mind.

When you turn to nature for therapy, leave the phone off and try your best to disconnect from the real world. Work, family, and other life stressors are at your fingertips when your phone is in your hand, making it harder to connect with nature.

Be present in the moment during your nature therapy sessions and take on mindful practices to deepen your connection with nature. Build up your mental health and physical strength by engaging with nature regularly. You’ll notice improvements in your day-to-day life when you enjoy nature as therapy.

Written by Gina Thompson

About the Author

Gina Thompson is an experienced multimedia journalist, producer, and content writer born and raised in Texas. In her spare time, she loves catching a live band, dancing, and finding the next big taco spot. As a writer, she is passionate about making a positive impact on her community by elevating the voices and stories that need to be heard.

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