(941) 462-4807 | 8470 Enterprise Circle, Suite 300, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

Meg Young

My WordPress Blog

  • Meg Young
  • Home
  • Specialties
    • Therapy for First Responders
    • Therapy for Therapists, Social Workers, Counselors
    • Therapy for Medical Professionals and Veterinarians
    • Therapy for Probation, Parole, and Corrections Officers
  • Services
    • Therapy for Anxiety
    • Therapy for PTSD
    • EMDR
    • Online Therapy
    • Group Therapy
    • EMDR Certification and Independent Licensure
    • Professional and Life Coaching
  • Get Started
    • Appointment Request
    • Rates & Insurance
    • Client Portal
    • Make A Payment
    • FAQs
    • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
    • Relaxation
    • Community Events
    • Free opt-ins
  • Blog
  • Workshops
    • Compassion Fatigue and Burnout
  • Podcast
  • About
  • Contact

August 16, 2021 by Meg Young Leave a Comment

The Healing Power of Nature

One only needs to read a few lines from poets such as Frost, Wordsworth, and Thoreau to recognize the love for and connection to nature human beings have always had. Nature stirs our souls and imagination and brings beauty to our everyday lives. But it turns out, nature also brings a slew of benefits to our mental and physical health.

The Many Benefits of Spending Time in Nature

Research is now clearly indicating that spending time outdoors can have a positive impact on our health. Whether you bike, hike, or simply sit under a tree enjoying the sights and sounds, time in nature has shown to reduce stress, slow heart rate, improve pain, lower cortisol, and stimulate the immune system by boosting the production of natural killer cells that fight disease and infection.

In addition, time outside means time in the sun, and THAT means getting a nice boost of vitamin D, which can do everything from preventing disease, make our bones and teeth stronger, and improve our mood.

Give Ecotherapy a Try

Ecotherapy, which is also sometimes referred to as nature therapy, is a practice in the emerging field of ecopsychology. The idea behind this practice is that many modern people, whether they are aware of it or not, feel a massive disconnect from the natural world. When you think about it, our ancestors spent hundreds of thousands of years living WITH nature, feeling it under their bare feet, being outside, ebbing and flowing with the shifts in seasons.

But today, most of us are only connected to a digital device. Ecotherapy gets us away from our screens and out into the beauty of the natural world. Many clinicians, including myself, believe that the earth has a natural ability to balance us. When we get back in touch with the systems of nature, we can experience improved mental health.

If you are feeling out of sorts and like the idea of trying ecotherapy, you can simply spend more time outside. If you would like someone to help you reconnect with nature, please get in touch with me. I am a big proponent of nature therapy and use it in my practice.

SOURCES:

  • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-healing-works/202103/the-healing-power-nature
  • https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/econature-therapy
  • https://www.natureandforesttherapy.earth/about/the-practice-of-forest-therapy

Filed Under: Depression

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meg Young



(941) 462-4807
meg@megyounglcsw.com
Fax: (941) 348-1334

8470 Enterprise Circle, Suite 300
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

Contact

Recent Posts

  • When is it Time to Ask for Help? September 26, 2023
  • Mental Health Benefits of Gratitude Journals September 19, 2023
  • Beginner’s Guide to Focusing on Mental Health September 12, 2023

Office Hours


Tuesday: 8:00a-6:00p online only
Wednesday: 9:00a-11:00a online; 1:00p-6:00p in person
Thursday: 9:00a-6:00p in person
Friday: Call for appointment availability
Request an appointment
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Find My Office

Contact Information

8470 Enterprise Circle, Suite 300
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

(941) 462-4807
Fax: (941) 348-1334




See my Privacy Statement
Terms of Service
Good Faith Estimate

A Therapist Website by Brighter Vision | Privacy Policy

Click here to register today!