There’s a lot of talk about the healing power of nature. But how does spending time in the wild truly affect our mental and physical well-being? Is there any scientific evidence to support that? Or is it all just speculation? The truth is — nature has been a part of us from the very start. But sadly, the modern world has changed how much time we spend surrounded by woods, bodies of water, green fields, and mountain tops.
But lately, there has been more and more evidence proving that engaging in outdoor activities can boost our overall well-being. For example, it has been proven that patients with post-traumatic stress (PTS) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) benefit from regular outdoor activities, either through nature walks or regular outdoor therapy sessions. So let’s take a closer look and learn how you can use the healing power of nature for your own advantage.
Exercising in nature helps heal trauma
People with trauma and other mental health conditions will benefit from some form of regular exercise. Exercise can help burn off the anxious energy that is common in people who have experienced trauma. It also stimulates the body to release natural hormones that could stabilize mood and improve sleep – a problem often experienced by people with PTSD.
While exercising in urban areas is probably a good option, nature offers other benefits. If one has access to a beach, safe forest or desert trails, there are great benefits and a variety of exercise opportunities for people of all ages. Hiking, swimming, kayaking, and biking are just some of the more common outdoor activities that can help individuals get the exercise they need. Those more inclined to challenges can try more demanding activities such as rock climbing, cross-country skiing, surfing and trail running.
In addition to their anti-stress and anti-anxiety benefits, many of these exercises allow participants to be in a focused, meditative state, which itself has direct benefits in reducing the effects of mental trauma.
Nature improves your emotional resilience
Although it takes much more than a trip to nature to heal people who have experienced serious trauma, there is growing evidence that outdoor therapy can build emotional resilience in both children and adults. Some research suggests that activities held in nature can help build a sense of control that affects other aspects of our lives.
Emotional resilience is usually defined as the ability to continue normal functioning after experiencing trauma. Resilience is not easy to acquire. Unfortunately, trauma can express itself in ways that are not obvious to the victim or to outside observers. Trauma survivors might be functional or superficially productive while simultaneously engaging in self-destructive behaviors such as drug use, stress-induced overeating, gambling, or impulse buying. Having better resilience can help prevent such negative behaviors.
Outdoor activities in small groups are particularly useful for improving the emotional resilience of people of all ages. These group activities can create a sense of “connectedness” that will help them overcome problems more easily.
Remember — it’s not a substitute for conventional therapy
Being in nature is not only considered good, but it can help us heal from invisible mental scars. For people with serious psychological trauma, staying in nature can be a great way to unwind and find a way to truly reconnect with our roots. As with any self-care practice, spending time in nature is not a substitute for conventional therapy. However, if you have the time and place to do it, why not try it out? There is nothing quite as peaceful as walking through a quiet forest with only the sounds of nature interrupting your thoughts.
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