Whether it be laying in the sunshine or venturing out on a hike, many people who struggle with anxiety and depression often overlook the positive benefits of stepping outside and connecting with nature. Being in nature has the ability to increase our moods and enhance our creativity. Ecotherapy or nature therapy involves the practice of being in nature to boost growth and healing. GoodTherapy states that this form of therapy is based on the idea that people are connected to and impacted by the natural environment, drawing on the greater system of interaction between personal and planetary well-being. 

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), access to nature has been found to improve sleep and reduce stress, increase happiness and reduce negative emotions, promote positive social interactions and even help generate a sense of meaning to life. In many instances, nature permits a calmer state of mind in individuals as the cognitive and mental processes decrease blood pressure and reduce stress- as long as the individual feels safe. 

Evenmore, the colors that individuals are exposed to in nature can generate a multitude of positive emotions. Research in color psychology reveals that the color green has strong associations with nature and is often described as a “refreshing” and “tranquil” color to the mind. Additionally, exposure to bright plants and flowers can stimulate the mind and improve the mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing of individuals. 

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Ways to connect with one's natural environment can include:

• Going on a nature walk or hike

• Going on a picnic or planning meals outside

• Exploring a new landscape

• Creating a nature scavenger hunt

• Doing yoga/meditation outside

• Going bird or cloud watching

• Going for a drive through a stress-free environment

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Feeling grounded and connecting with the natural world can overall improve one’s mood and create life-long hobbies. However, we all experience the world differently and have varying reasons for wanting to get outside. Hence, connecting with nature in one particular way is not a one size fits all situation. One might find an activity beneficial that someone else may find challenging or stressful. Therefore, discovering one’s own personal niche takes trial and error, but the benefits of implementing nature into our lives are well worth it. 

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https://www.tlkmagazine.com/post/healed-by-nature