natt:nature_therapy

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natt:nature_therapy [2025/12/05 10:37] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1natt:nature_therapy [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Nature therapy+This topic is part of [[gt:bushcraft|Bushcraft & Nature]] and [[gt:wellbeing|Wellbeing, home & relationships]]. 
 +====== Nature therapy ======
  
  
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-## What is nature therapy?+===== What is nature therapy? =====
  
 It’s any practice that involves nature in a therapeutic intervention with humans. Let’s get the science in there right away – [nature therapy really works](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4997467/). It could involve animals, walking in the countryside, on a beach, in a forest, and/or doing things in nature, like gardening. People will often do this kind of thing automatically, and feel better for it; but therapy involves a therapist, facilitator or catalyst who will set up the experience (depressed people may not bother to go into nature themselves, or to seek company). It’s any practice that involves nature in a therapeutic intervention with humans. Let’s get the science in there right away – [nature therapy really works](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4997467/). It could involve animals, walking in the countryside, on a beach, in a forest, and/or doing things in nature, like gardening. People will often do this kind of thing automatically, and feel better for it; but therapy involves a therapist, facilitator or catalyst who will set up the experience (depressed people may not bother to go into nature themselves, or to seek company).
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/1407426182.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/1407426182.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- Animals are often used in nature therapy. Horses are a favourite.+ _Animals are often used in nature therapy. Horses are a favourite._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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 Nature therapy works with all senses to elevate mood. For example, the smell of [terpenes](https://monq.com/eo/terpenes/terpenes-overview/) (from coniferous trees) or the sound of [birdsong](https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/birdsong-key-to-beating-the-blues/) are known to improve mood and reduce anxiety and depression; and the physical exercise involved in moving through nature improves mood too. Nature therapy can help with [recovery from addiction](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-high-functioning-alcoholic/201210/nature-and-recovery) too, and the [health benefits of having an allotment](https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1476-069X-9-74) for older people are well-known. Nature therapy works with all senses to elevate mood. For example, the smell of [terpenes](https://monq.com/eo/terpenes/terpenes-overview/) (from coniferous trees) or the sound of [birdsong](https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/birdsong-key-to-beating-the-blues/) are known to improve mood and reduce anxiety and depression; and the physical exercise involved in moving through nature improves mood too. Nature therapy can help with [recovery from addiction](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-high-functioning-alcoholic/201210/nature-and-recovery) too, and the [health benefits of having an allotment](https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1476-069X-9-74) for older people are well-known.
  
-### History+==== History ====
  
 Of course, traditional cultures have always practiced nature therapy as part of their daily routine; the modern nature therapy movement originated with the Quakers, who used nature therapy from the 16th century, for people who would otherwise have been admitted to brutal institutions. They owned farms where people would go to recuperate whilst doing useful outdoor work. Of course, traditional cultures have always practiced nature therapy as part of their daily routine; the modern nature therapy movement originated with the Quakers, who used nature therapy from the 16th century, for people who would otherwise have been admitted to brutal institutions. They owned farms where people would go to recuperate whilst doing useful outdoor work.
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/nature-therapy-smells.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/nature-therapy-smells.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- Humans have evolved with the smells, sights and sounds of nature. Modern life has shrunk the sensory world of most people.+ _Humans have evolved with the smells, sights and sounds of nature. Modern life has shrunk the sensory world of most people._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/nature-therapy-screen.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/nature-therapy-screen.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- For the first time in human history, more of us now live in urban than rural areas, and at the same time, screen time has replaced outdoor play for many children.+ _For the first time in human history, more of us now live in urban than rural areas, and at the same time, screen time has replaced outdoor play for many children._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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-## What are the benefits of nature therapy?+===== What are the benefits of nature therapy? =====
  
 Nature therapy is particularly important now that, for the first time in history, over 50% of the world’s population live in urban areas – and this will rise to 70% by 2050. Younger people especially are spending a large proportion of their time indoors, in front of a screen. Our sensory world has shrunk. Urbanisation and separation from the natural world [has been linked to a deterioration in mental health](https://www.pnas.org/content/112/28/8567.abstract). Walking in a natural environment [reduces the neural activity associated with a risk of mental illness](https://www.pnas.org/content/112/28/8567), and [boosts immunity](https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/health/06real.html), compared to walking for the same amount of time in an urban environment. Apparently, the chemicals that plants emit to protect themselves from rot and pests are also good for humans. Nature therapy is particularly important now that, for the first time in history, over 50% of the world’s population live in urban areas – and this will rise to 70% by 2050. Younger people especially are spending a large proportion of their time indoors, in front of a screen. Our sensory world has shrunk. Urbanisation and separation from the natural world [has been linked to a deterioration in mental health](https://www.pnas.org/content/112/28/8567.abstract). Walking in a natural environment [reduces the neural activity associated with a risk of mental illness](https://www.pnas.org/content/112/28/8567), and [boosts immunity](https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/health/06real.html), compared to walking for the same amount of time in an urban environment. Apparently, the chemicals that plants emit to protect themselves from rot and pests are also good for humans.
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/forest-bathing.png) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/forest-bathing.png)
 <caption> <caption>
- Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, involves immersion in a woodland setting, but it doesn’t have to involve water.+ _Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, involves immersion in a woodland setting, but it doesn’t have to involve water._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
-### Receiving nature therapy+==== Receiving nature therapy ====
  
 For mild cases of stress or anxiety, you can get yourself into nature to see if it makes you feel better. If your problems require more focused treatment, you could join a ‘nature quest’ - a group meet-up that involves walking and observing nature. It’s different from just going for a walk, in that it’s more purposeful - the group can keep you focused, and the ‘quest’ involves seeking knowledge or understanding. For mild cases of stress or anxiety, you can get yourself into nature to see if it makes you feel better. If your problems require more focused treatment, you could join a ‘nature quest’ - a group meet-up that involves walking and observing nature. It’s different from just going for a walk, in that it’s more purposeful - the group can keep you focused, and the ‘quest’ involves seeking knowledge or understanding.
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/nature-therapy-group.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/nature-therapy-group.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- Getting into nature as a group can have additional social benefits, and help keep you focused on the therapeutic aspects of the experience.+ _Getting into nature as a group can have additional social benefits, and help keep you focused on the therapeutic aspects of the experience._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/5015169.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/5015169.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- Sometimes, nature therapy can involve getting cuddly with more unusual animals, like wolves. Yes, really.+ _Sometimes, nature therapy can involve getting cuddly with more unusual animals, like wolves. Yes, really._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/nature-therapy-allotments.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/nature-therapy-allotments.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- You get [health and well-being benefits](https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/article/38/3/e336/2239844) as well as fresh veg if you have an allotment.+ _You get [health and well-being benefits](https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/article/38/3/e336/2239844) as well as fresh veg if you have an allotment._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Becoming a nature therapist+==== Becoming a nature therapist ====
  
 No professional qualifications are required at the moment. This will happen, and it may well be a good thing, although there’s a danger that some of the inherent creativity and freedom may be lost when more structure is introduced. Stricter application of health and safety regulations may prevent people from climbing that tree / swimming in that river / getting too close to that animal etc. No professional qualifications are required at the moment. This will happen, and it may well be a good thing, although there’s a danger that some of the inherent creativity and freedom may be lost when more structure is introduced. Stricter application of health and safety regulations may prevent people from climbing that tree / swimming in that river / getting too close to that animal etc.
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/nature-therapy-tree.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/nature-therapy-tree.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- A better cure for depression than Prozac?+ _A better cure for depression than Prozac?_
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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-## Further resources+===== Forum =====
  
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:bushcraft|Bushcraft & Nature]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/bushcraft).
  
 +It is also in the section [[gt:wellbeing|Wellbeing, home & relationships]] (Forum: [Wellbeing, home & relationships](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/wellbeing)).
  
-## Specialist(s)+===== Further resources ===== 
 + 
 +- [Biophilia hypothesis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biophilia_hypothesis) - suggests that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life 
 +- [Review of the health benefits of nature](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40471-015-0043-7) 
 +- [Forest Bathing International](http://www.forestbathinginternational.org/) 
 +- [Review of physiological effects of nature therapy](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4997467/) 
 +- [Psychology Today](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201608/nature-therapy) - evidence for the efficacy of nature therapy 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Related topics ===== 
 + 
 +- [[ntaw:Nature awareness]] 
 +- [[lito:tourism|Low-impact tourism]] 
 +- [[wodl:woodland management|Tree / woodland management]] 
 +- [[walk:Walking|Walking/hiking]] 
 +- [[pers:Personal development]] 
 +- [[hrbr:Herbal remedies]] 
 +- [[lkid:kids|Low-impact kids]] 
 +- [[wisw:Wild swimming]] 
 + 
 +===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
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