Four Reasons to try a Nature Therapy Session
Updated: 3 days ago
When you think of therapy, what do you imagine?
Many people imagine lying on a couch, sitting opposite to the therapist in a chair, or seeing their therapist through video. Of course each of these settings is just fine for participating in therapy. However, have you ever imagined taking part in a nature walk therapy session? Instead of sitting in an office or across from your therapist via video, imagine instead moving or sitting with your therapist in a beautiful green space or nature trail. What would be the benefits of this? Here are four reasons to try this out:
1. Moving your body benefits your mental health: One in nine cases of depression could be prevented by 150 minutes of walking a week. Even doing half of the recommended amount of physical activity can lower depression risk (1). Many people with anxiety or depression struggle to find the motivation to walk. Trying "walk and talk" therapy can help motivate individuals towards movement in the safe space of a therapeutic relationship. This accountability and exposure to movement can create some healthy momentum towards walking outside of therapy.
2. Being in nature promotes mental health and well-being. Numerous studies have shown that the sights and sounds of nature reduce stress, increase happiness, promote feelings of connection, purpose, and meaning, and increase attention capacity (2). Try it now. Put your phone/computer down, and go outside. Take a deep breath. Look at the clouds or the stars. Listen to the sounds. Notice how you feel.
3. Walking in nature can help you slow down and better connect with your thoughts and feelings. In our modern day and fast-paced society that is so often tied to technology, it's challenging to fully disconnect from phones/computers and our running to-do lists. Walking in nature helps you to reduce all distractions and really connect with what is on your mind. It's good to remember that we are just creatures on this earth. Individuals more easily get in touch with their thoughts and feelings when walking, and this can facilitate the therapeutic process.
4. You may be more comfortable sharing. If you have ever felt nervous or "put on the spot" in therapy, this is very common! Being in the hot seat is no easy feat, whether you are in the office or online. It can take time to warm up and share more in therapy. Walking in nature can help you feel less "on the spot" and allow you to easily share what is on your mind. Of course, talk to your therapist about increasing privacy when walking in nature to help you share more.
Interested in trying out a nature walk for one of your therapy sessions? Contact Dr. C (if in Atlanta metro area) to discuss this option. If you are not yet a patient and in the Atl metro area, please schedule your 15-minute free consultation today, and we can discuss this in our call.
Sources
1. Pearce, M., et al. (2022). Association between physical activity and risk of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 79(6), 550–559. This meta-analysis covers 15 prospective studies involving 191,130 participants.
2. Bratman, G. N., Anderson, C. B., Berman, M. G., Cochran, B., De Vries, S., Flanders, J., ... & Daily, G. C. (2019). Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Science Advances, 5(7).
