The pace of life today is fast, stressful and unstable, so it is common that our mental health can be negatively affected. It is estimated that up to one in four people will experience some type of mental health problem in their lifetime and support is essential at those times. A solution to these problems could be out there and research has shown that ecotherapy could help us. Currently, in meeting places, such as the BioCultura Fair In Spain, we can find information and activities related to ecotherapy and other ways of connecting with the nature that surrounds us.
In this Green Ecologist article we tell you all about what is ecotherapy, its benefits and techniques.
Ecotherapy, also called green therapy or earth-centered therapy, is a set of therapeutic techniques that argues that we are part of a web of life and that our psychology is part of the environment. Ecotherapy has been talked about for many years, however the first to give it wide public visibility was Theodere Roszac, with the publication of his innovative book 'the voice of the Earth' in 1992. Already in 1996 , Howard Clinebell published the book 'Ecotherapy', where he referred to healing and personal growth thanks to the healthy interaction of man with the Earth Clinebell preferred the concept of ecotherapy, since it includes work with the body, to that of ecopsychology, which studies psychological relationships with nature.
Ecotherapy claims the need to reinvent psychiatry and psychotherapy as a relationship between nature and human nature itself, taking into account scientific discoveries and wisdom from indigenous peoples. Therefore, this vision reveals that the human being is intimately and inseparably connected to nature. This changes our understanding of how to address the problems of the human mind and improve the bad relationship between human and environment.
This therapy is recommended in cases of anxiety, depression and stress and is currently being practiced in nursing homes, hospitals and mental health centers and in youth centers. This method is increasing more and more and showing more and more success stories.
The benefits of ecotherapy are divided into:
One study found that those who spent time walking or resting in the woods had lower levels of cortisol, blood pressure, and heart rate. Other studies have found improvements in sleep, improved immune system functions, and lower rates of stress-related disorders in those who spend time in nature.
Some techniques within ecotherapy are:
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