Nature Therapy! NEW YEAR Resolutions to Revive yourself

You are wondering how on earth this could be possible? In this situation when COVID 19 is going on, lockdown is persisting, many of us are suffering from down heartiness or maybe melancholia (very mild depression) and other mental hitches. These phases aren’t so urgent that you need to consult clinical support to overcome them. And this is the time when our mother nature got our back. Nature provides its own therapy, that leaves a positive impact on our mental health.

What is Nature therapy?

Nature Therapy is popularly known as Ecotherapy, Green Therapy, Horticulture Therapy is making a connection with the earth. Phycologists use it as a therapeutic treatment which involves doing activities in nature. A practice that provides phycological well-being, physical well-being and helps you to feel better.

Different Types of DIY Nature therapies to try on your own

• Meditation in nature
• Gardening therapy
• Pet therapy
• Exercise in nature
• Go on a vacation
• Bring nature to your home
• Balance diet and natural element 

 

 

Meditation in nature:

The meditation should be occurred at outdoor, surrounded by nature. Places such as in a park, lakeside, under a tree etc. Breathing has a significant role to play in physical and mental well-being. It is said that breathing improves hearing power, smelling and feeling. This also improves creative abilities and problem solutioning skills. Breathing also helps to keep energised all day long. Meditating in nature has proven that, it develops greater self-respect and makes a strong sense of self-worth. 

 

 

Gardening therapy:

Gardening therapy also known as Horticulture Therapy is a practice that many therapists operate to handle cases such as stress, burnout, substance abuse, social isolation among elderly people. The therapy includes digging soil, planting seeds, trimming leaves etc. 

 

Pet therapy:

Being around animals is the best way to be. This is also another type of ecotherapy (also known as dog therapy) prescribed by many phycologists. If you have a pet at home, do spend some time with him. That furry body works as the best stress killing pill ever. Also, if you are not having one feed some street dogs. According to WebMD observing animals naturally lowers cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that is linked with stress.

 

 

Exercise in nature:

Exercising outdoor is another kind of ecotherapy. A recent study showed that the people who exercise outdoor has less fatigued and have fewer chances of suffering obesity than the people who exercise indoor or at a gym. Walking improves mental and physical health in all age group of people. A study has shown “older people who have access to green parks felt more positive and hopeful.” Walk at least 20 – 25 minutes a day. This also improves memory functions and reduce depression. Because while walking our body reduce the releasing of stress hormone or better known as cortisol which helps prevent anxiety. Walking in the morning improves eyesight as well.

 

 

Go on a vacation:

A study on “climatic condition and its effect on human personality” has proven climate change has an impact on human’s mind stage changing.

 

Bring nature to your home:

Contact with natural light is therapeutic. Make sure your bedroom gets enough sunlight in the morning or anytime during the day. This will help you to feel more energised and active. Installing plant at home is another way to bring nature home. For example, we can name ALOE VERA. We all are well aware of the skincare benefits of aloe vera. It used to treat sunburn, frostbite and irritated skin. Lavender is a flowering plant that has a pleasant aroma for stress revolving. Lavender also use in an aromatherapy spa treatment for stress buster

 Snake plant is also known as mother-in – law’s lounge and Boston fern improve indoor air quality at night. And converts carbon dioxide into oxygen. Plantation of Rosemary improves memory. And we all want to keep our house decorated and give a bohemian touch to it by using flowering plants like Peace lily, Spider plant.

 

 

Balance diet with natural elements: 

Instead of eating fast food and packaged food add up greens to your everyday diet. Like leaf vegetables, salads, spinach etc. It will improve your skin and hair as well as mental health.

 

Forest Bathing:

Nature plays a significant role in human development. Being surrounded by nature can reduce feelings of stress or anger and helps take time out to feel more relaxed. Walking on the beach at night or taking a forest bath famously known as Shinrin-yoku (a kind of Japanese ecotherapy) can uplift your mood instantly. It also improves physical health, helps you to be more active. In a narrow sense, whatever, people are experiencing and seeing in their daily lives not only affects mental and spiritual health but also its effects on our endocrine, nervous and immune system. Here are a few tips and tricks to bring nature into your everyday life.

Benefits

Mental benefits

• Reduce stress, depression, anxiety
• Decrease mood swings
• Decrease anger, agitation
• Increase the ability of analytical and critical thinking 

 

Physical benefits

• Reduces any kind of pain
• Reconcile Dementia
• Any kind of medical recovery possible
• PTSD 
• Reduces chances of obesity

 

The Verdict

Lastly, it is necessary to take care of your mental and physical health equally. Both are somehow interconnected. Taking care of mental health will leads you to better physical health. A detox and fresh mind are a secret of quality life. It helps in developing a stronger work ethic and stability.  

 Fact File: Healthline 

 

~ Jaita Choudhary

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