Nature
Eco-psychology & Nature-Based Practices
What is eco-psychology? What’s eco-therapy?
Eco-psychology is the study of the relationships between our minds and nature.
As well as human thinking and behaviour resulting in impacts on the natural environment, an increasing body of scientific evidence suggests that the health of the natural environment and our connection with it has significant effects on our psychological (as well as physical) wellbeing.
Eco-therapy is an umbrella term for a range of approaches and practices which work with the healing power of our connection with nature to enhance our wellbeing.
See Resources for some useful links to information on the health benefits of nature.
Why is connecting with nature so good for our wellbeing?
Science is just beginning to glimpse what it is about connection with nature that does us so much good.
Human-beings are a part of nature, but aspects of our modern lifestyles can lead us to feel separate and isolated - leaving our brains and nervous systems struggling to deal with environments and stressors they’re not evolved for.
It’s thought that even small amounts of time spent connecting with nature help alleviate these imbalances – from keeping a pot plant on your desk to taking a few moments listening to birdsong.
Attuning to the conditions for life
On Earth, wherever life can thrive, it does. So it’s likely that the more primal parts of our brains – which are highly responsive to subtle perceptual cues related to our safety – scan the world for the sights, sounds, smells and textures associated with nature.
Environments lacking in the “vital signs” of nature are likely to feel eerie and unsettling: it makes sense that such places would put our nervous systems on alert for the possibility that something is wrong (imagine working in one of these environments!).
When people spend time in places where they can sense a diversity of life flourishing around them, they tend to feel calmer, restored or like they’ve come home – many even talk about a feeling in harmony with the world (Eva Shalin, 2022 - see Resources for full reference).
Imperfection is vital
Many people find the fractal and geometrical patterns that occur abundantly in nature (e.g. on fern fronds and dandelion clocks) pleasing and soothing to look at. But nature’s maths is imperfect: random variations are crucial to species’ diversity, evolution and adaptation to change.
In the digital age, this may be a more important cue for us than ever: AI has become adept at mimicking pattern-repetition in nature to produce detailed imagery, but it tends to be too perfect, and this might be how we sense when the images we’re exposed to are too good to be true.
Connection with nature can be an opportunity to ground ourselves in messy, beautiful, imperfect reality and to feel more accepting or even appreciative towards imperfections - hopefully including our own
All our senses
Our senses are important points of contact with present reality – they help our brains know where they are, helping regulate our nervous systems and focusing our attention away from internal chatter (including negative thoughts).
Often, modern lifestyles prompt us to use just one or two of our senses (e.g. sight and hearing) more than others. Nature-based practices may help us connect with a wider range of our senses (M. Amos Clifford (2021) - see Resources for full reference).
This can help with finding more strategies to support, soothe and re-focus ourselves in times of need.
Gentle reconnection after trauma
Some kinds of traumatic experience (particularly moral injury and interpersonal trauma) can profoundly affect anyone’s sense of trust and even create fear of connection and/or touch.
The natural environment can provide opportunities for gentle reconnection with the sensory world through seeking safe and pleasant sensations such as smelling flowers, taking in beautiful views, or touching soft leaves. Time spent with non-human beings (such as trees, butterflies or birds) can allow us to experience a sense of shared presence away from the many complexities that can occur in human relationships.
These experiences can help us take important steps along the path of recovery, while the support nature-connection can offer us in soothing and rebalancing our nervous systems is helpful preparation for later stages of trauma-focused therapies.
How might nature-based practices be used in psychological therapy?
There are all sorts of possibilities with nature connection that can be considered – from simple self-help practices to more immersive and carefully planned experiences integrated into therapy. Examples include:
Developing and enriching nature-based mental imagery in meditations or practices to foster compassion, sense of safety or relaxation;
Finding practical, manageable ways to build nature connection in your day-to-day routine and life balance;
Immersive experiences such as walks in nature or forest-bathing;
“Walk and Talk” therapy sessions conducted outdoors in natural settings where suitable.
