Ecotherapy: The Behavioral Science Behind Healing Outdoors
The heights that human innovation has reached are indeed undeniable. From our towering buildings to our global connectivity, and especially the recent rise of artificial intelligence, it is just mind-blowing how our ambitions as a species have made what used to be impossible, well, possible.
However, with this pursuit of progress, we are spending less and less time outdoors. Our dwindling connection to nature—also known as nature deficit disorder—comes at a significant cost, not only to our physical health but to our emotional well-being.1 Luckily, there is a solution. Emerging research in this field highlights the potential of ecotherapy for promoting positive emotional, cognitive, and behavioral change to help us counter the effects of our fast-paced lives.
References
- Louv, R. (2005). Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Chapel Hill, NC, USA: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.
- van der Wal, J. M., van Borkulo, C. D., Deserno, M. K., Breedvelt, J. J. F., Lees, M., Lokman, J. C., et al. (2021). Advancing urban mental health research: from complexity science to actionable targets for intervention. Lancet Psychiatry 8, 991–1000. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(21)00047-X
- Frumkin, H., Bratman, G. N., Breslow, S. J., Cochran, B., Kahn, P. H., Lawler, J. J., et al. (2017). Nature contact and human health: a research agenda. Environ. Health Perspect. 125:075001. doi: 10.1289/EHP1663
- Hall, C., and Knuth, M. (2019). An update of the literature supporting the well-being benefits of plants: a review of the emotional and mental health benefits of plants. J. Environ. Hortic. 37, 30–38. doi: 10.24266/0738-2898-37.1.30
- Clinebell, H. (2013). Ecotherapy: Healing ourselves, healing the earth. Routledge.
- Oh, K. H., Shin, W. S., Khil, T. G., & Kim, D. J. (2020). Six-step model of nature-based therapy process. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(3), 685.
- Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of environmental psychology, 15(3), 169-182.
- Salomon, R. E., Salomon, A. D., & Beeber, L. S. (2018). Green care as psychosocial intervention for depressive symptoms: what might be the key ingredients?. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 24(3), 199-208.
- Owens, M., & Bunce, H. L. (2022). The potential for outdoor nature-based interventions in the treatment and prevention of depression. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 740210.
- Poulsen, D. V., Stigsdotter, U. K., Djernis, D., & Sidenius, U. (2016). ‘Everything just seems much more right in nature’: How veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder experience nature-based activities in a forest therapy garden. Health Psychology Open, 3(1), 2055102916637090.
- Sempik, J., Bragg, R., Barton, J., Wood, C., & Pretty, J. (2016). Green Exercise: Linking Nature, Health and Well-Being.
- Russell, K. C. (2000). Exploring How the Wilderness Therapy Process Relates to Outcomes. Journal of Experiential Education, 23(3), 170–176. doi:10.1177/105382590002300309
- Bert, F., Gualano, M. R., Camussi, E., Pieve, G., Voglino, G., & Siliquini, R. (2016). Animal assisted intervention: A systematic review of benefits and risks. European journal of integrative medicine, 8(5), 695-706.
- Kruger, K. A., & Serpell, J. A. (2010). Animal-assisted interventions in mental health: Definitions and theoretical foundations. In Handbook on animal-assisted therapy (pp. 33-48). Academic Press.
- Hassink, J., & Van Dijk, M. (Eds.). (2006). Farming for Health: Green-care farming across Europe and the United States of America (Vol. 13). Springer Science & Business Media.
- Puk, T. (2021). Nature-based Regenerative Healing: A case-study of interpersonal ecotherapy. European Journal of Ecopsychology, 7, 19-40.
About the Author
Jestine Cabiles
Jestine has a degree in Communication Research and a master's degree in Strategic Marketing and Data Analytics. Prior to joining The Decision Lab, she helped grow companies in the Philippines through data-driven consulting and helped accelerate a market intelligence and social listening platform in France through product marketing. Outside of work, she is an impact entrepreneur with a passion for environmental sustainability.
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