Ecotherapy

By Bruce Rosenberg

Ecotherapy or nature therapy is a basic concept which is to increase physiological relaxation and act as a preventative medicine by improving the body’s natural resistance to disease, which is suppressed under conditions of stress.  Ecotherapy origins began in Japan when workers during the bubble economy (1980) were dying in their prime. The government took notice of this and used scientists and medical professionals to find a solution to this problem. Thus began by Japanese forest medicine researchers the study of these workers who were asked to spend time in the forest surrounding Tokyo.  These walks in the forest were known as shrin-yoku or “forest bathing”.  It was found that by visiting and spending time in the forests, people’s physical health improved including a decrease in both blood pressure and pulse rate. Also noted was a decrease in the concentration of cortisol which produces adrenalin, the fight-or-flight response hormone.  Questioning those people who spent time in the forest revealed that the majority felt an increased feeling of comfort, calm, being refreshed, and a reduction of anxiety and an improvement in their emotional state.

Studies have shown that outdoor activities like gardening, hiking, birdwatching enhance the nature-human connection and acts as a catalyst to happiness. Using our sensory input of sight, sound, smell, touch and taste during a walk in nature brings peace to us. As John Muir once said “Allow nature’s peace to flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.” Since humans evolved in nature it is where we feel more comfortable.  Erich Fromm termed this “Biophilia” or “the passionate love of life and all that is alive.”  Sir David Attenborough once said, “We must cherish the natural world because we’re a part of it and we depend on it.”

Walking around Lasdon Park one can become immersed in nature and enjoy its beauty and peacefulness.   Turn off your cell phone and let nature calm your body and mind. As Frank Lloyd Wright said, “Study Nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.”