The healing power of nature
For many months now we have been home-bound. Some of us have taken the opportunity to nest, learn new skills or overly stress about life-itself. Some have the privilege to have a home to be bound to but others are not so lucky and others are working in crazy environments to have some financial stability while others have lost that balance all-together.
But under this air of uncertainty we have seen a trend among humans emerging, the yearning to go outside. Many of us are seeing the outdoor world as a safe place to be while practicing physical distancing. Human history has always been intertwined with nature, it is only a speck in time that we have created clear boundaries with nature; a disconnect between people and the land.
The Biophilia hypothesis, for example, is the tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. The term biophilia was used by German-born American psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness (1973), which described biophilia as “the passionate love of life and of all that is alive.” The term was later used by American biologist Edward O. Wilson in his work Biophilia (1984), which proposed that the tendency of humans to focus on and to affiliate with nature and other life-forms has, in part, a genetic basis. In simpler terms, biophilia is the idea that we are genetically or evolutionarily predisposed to need or connect with nature.
Other research has shown that numerous health benefits result from spending time outside. Research throughout the world has revealed that nature can reduce blood pressure, increase immunity, stress reduction and other health related benefits that are linked to a reduction in chronic disease and trauma recovery. In addition, research is also showing increased levels of creativity, productivity and improved social engagement. There is a world of research that we would like to share and that is why we will are creating a series of content explaining the research around the idea of the healing power of nature. Our mission is to share the knowledge, making it accessible to many and hopefully engaging in conversations of environmental stewardship.
But how can we access the healing power of nature? Is it enough to just stand outside? The practice of Shinrin-Yoku, or “Forest Bathing” was established in Japan in the early 80s to combat many of the chronic diseases, stress and health related issues being faced by the Japanese people. In Japan, there are many individuals who serve as forest therapists, and in the US, the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT) has developed a certification program which trains people worldwide to become nature and forest therapy guides.
Nature and Forest Therapy walks include a series of guided invitations that will be designed to allow the participant to have whichever experience in the natural world that is right for them. The Nature and Forest Therapy sessions enable opportunities to connect to self, others and the land.
There are many mental, physical, emotional and spiritual benefits that emerge from this practice and research has shown that effects often last for up to several weeks.
Numerous Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) Guides around the world are providing in-person or Virtual Forest Therapy. Be sure to support your local guide and try a Walk for yourself. If you are still not sure of what to expect, we wanted to introduce this practice virtually, on your own time. We created a short video of a preview of what you can expect from a Nature Therapy Walk. Be mindful that this is just a preview, an in-person Nature Therapy Walk with a Guide is around two hours long with many invitations along the way. You can download the video here and find a safe spot in nature, either a park, patio, yard, porch, balcony or if you can not go outside just find a house plant or look out the window. Give yourself a space without interruptions, silence your phone, notifications, use earbuds (optional) and relax!
