Ecotherapy: The Health Benefits of Nature

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We’ve all craved nature at some time or another. Maybe it was the white sands of a beach (and the accompanying health benefits) that we longed for or the calmness of a mountain camping trip.

Perhaps we look forward to a hike in the woods or a canoe trip on a river… whatever our preferences, we all desire nature at some point, and with good reason.

The Benefits of Ecotherapy

It seems intuitive that we like to spend time outdoors, but science has now identified some of the reasons we actually NEED time in a more natural setting. In fact, there is a term for this, Ecotherapy, that refers to the various physical and psychological benefits of being outside.

Mental Benefits

A 2009 study found that the closer someone lived to a green space or nature area, the healthier that person was likely to be. In fact, those who lived closest to a park, nature preserve or wooded area were less likely to suffer from anxiety or depression.

Heart & Stress Benefits

Another study found that those who spent time hiking or resting in a forest had measurably lower cortisol rates, heart rates, and blood pressure.

ADD & ADHD

The University of Illinois conducted research that showed that children with ADD/ADHD experienced a reduction of symptoms after spending time outdoors (this ties in with a less well-studied theory that these disorders are at least partially “nature deficit disorders:”

In their most recent study, conducted on a nationwide scale, psychologists Andrea Taylor and Frances Kuo have found that children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder, or ADHD, experienced a significant reduction in symptoms after they participated in activities in green settings. Whatever the activity—whether it was playing basketball or reading a book—the degree of relief from ADHD symptoms was tied to the greenness of the setting in which it took place, with relatively green settings like tree-lined streets, backyards and parks trumping the indoors or outdoor places that lacked greenery.(2)

Of course, just spending time in nature won’t be a silver bullet for children struggling with ADD/ADHD, but spending some (free!) family time outdoors is worth a try.

Sleep Improvements & Longevity

Other studies have found sleep improvements, better immune system function, and lower rates of stress related disorders in those who spent regular time in nature.

All of these factors may be reasons that regular gardeners live longer and that the practice of “forest bathing” (spending time in the forest) has become popular in Japan and is even prescribed and covered by medical plans in some cases. (3)

So why is nature so important?

There are several factors that may contribute to the health benefits (though the true benefit may remain an intangible that we can instinctively feel but not explain)…

How Time Outdoors Makes Us Healthier

Have you ever been cooped up indoors for an extended period of time and just felt the need to get outside? Turns out there are some health reasons for this craving, including:

Vitamin D

One reason time outdoors may contribute to health is the exposure to Vitamin D producing sunlight. This vital pre-hormone is responsible for many aspects of health throughout the body.

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to various types of cancer and obesity, as well as mental disorders and other health problems.

Though supplemental Vitamin D is available, some people don’t absorb it effectively (like me) and actually need sun exposure to get adequate Vitamin D.

Either way…spending time outdoors in moderate sun is a great way to get natural Vitamin D.

Exercise

Unless your version of spending time in nature involves driving into the woods and just sitting there, most nature experiences also include some form of exercise.

From rock climbing, swimming, hiking, and canoeing, most forms of outdoor activity also include movement.

We all know the benefits of exercise, yet most of us still aren’t getting enough exercise regularly. Spending time outdoors provides a chance for fun movement along with the other benefits of nature.

Since we should all be moving each day anyway, get the double benefit and get your exercise outdoors!

Grounding

This benefit of nature is somewhat controversial in modern medicine, and my post about it has gotten a wide range of comments, from those who swear by the benefits of grounding to those who insist it is completely made up.

The basic theory is that since many of us don’t come into direct skin contact with the Earth very much, a positive charge can build up in the body. Direct skin contact with the Earth acts as a “ground” just like it does for electrical outlets, reducing this extra positive charge.

Proponents of earthing report that it helps reduce inflammation in the body and improve sleep quality.

Whatever your opinion of earthing/grounding, it is another positive side effect of being outdoors, especially barefoot or swimming in a natural body of water.

Can’t Get Outdoors?

There are ways to get the benefits of grounding indoors with earthing mats or sheets.

Fresh Air

Indoor air is often up to 70 times more contaminated than outdoor air. With more air-tight insulation, windows and doors, and the plethora of chemicals and plastics we bring into our homes, most people come in contact with up to 6,000 chemicals regularly.

Spending time outdoors is a break from indoor air pollution and outdoor air may have additional benefits as well.

Outdoor air is a good source of beneficial negative ions and places like the beach and near waterfalls are especially good sources. These negative ions are also present in sunlight and after a thunderstorm, when you can smell the “freshness” in the air. Indoor air, by contrast, is deficient in negative ions and is often dry and contaminated.

Negative ions are referred to as “nature’s antidepressants” and are found to have a relaxing and healing effect.

Stuck indoors? Try these tips to help improve indoor air quality or consider getting some air-improving houseplants.

Eye Health

This is an often surprising benefit of spending time outdoors, and an increasingly important one.

We are seeing an increase in vision problems, especially in children. One possible reason is the amount of time that many of us spend looking at a computer or TV screen on a daily basis.

While children used to spend most of their time outdoors looking at a wide variety of colors, levels of brightness and depths, they now spend up to seven hours a day staring at a TV, computer, or tablet screen with artificial light. The result is an increase in nearsightedness, even in kids who aren’t genetically predisposed to it.

In fact, a study done in 2007 found that children who spent at least 2 hours a day outside were four times less likely to be nearsighted. (4) For children, this has especially dire consequences. The researchers speculated that bright outdoor light helps children develop the correct distance between the retina and lens and leads to better eyesight later in life. Since indoor lighting does not provide the same benefit, children who spend a lot of time indoors are much more likely to have vision problems later in life.

Staring at a screen can also lead to eye fatigue, headaches, neck or back problems, and other problems in adults.

Healthy Circadian Rhythm

Spending time outdoors, especially in morning sunlight, may help reduce the risk of obesity. In fact, a study at Northwestern University found that the earlier a study participant got morning sunlight, the lower than participant’s BMI.

This correlation remained strong even after researchers adjusted for exercise levels, age, calorie intake, and other factors that affect BMI. The reason? Getting sunlight in the morning helps keep cortisol levels and circadian rhythms in the right ranges.

The reverse correlation was also true, as exposure to light at night was a factor in gaining weight (another reason to make sure you have a dark sleep environment),  but as little as half an hour of sun exposure before noon was enough to have an effect on reducing body weight.

This effect is so pronounced, in fact, that my doctor recommended morning sunlight exposure as part of my protocol to help improve my cortisol levels and thyroid health.

Does indoor light work?

Bright morning light outdoors is typically thousands of “lux” a measure of illuminance that is essentially one lumen per square meter. Indoor light typically only measures a few hundred lux and doesn’t contain the broad spectrum of light needed to correctly support the body’s internal clock.

While things like 10,000 lux energy light lamps get closer to the level of outdoor brightness and are often used in the winter by those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, nothing beats the benefits of nature with true sunshine.

Ecotherapy: Best Way to Get the Benefits of Nature?

As you can tell, there are a lot of factors that may contribute to the benefits of nature, but we still may never understand completely why spending time outdoors has such profound psychological and physiological effects. We do know that time outdoors is important and that we aren’t getting enough.

There are things we can do to get partial benefits, but the best (and least expensive) option is just to get outside… in the morning… near trees.

My Solution?

I take a long morning walk on a greenway near our home where there are plenty of trees, wildflowers, and even a small waterfall. I sometimes take my children on these walks, or I encourage them to spend time outdoors in the morning as well.

Gardening is another great way to get time outdoors, and spending time watering plants in the morning is a great way to get morning sunlight.

Find a way to spend some time outdoors each day (walking in the woods if you can!) and take your family with you. Need some motivation? Cue photo…

Ahhh…

How being outside makes you healthier

How do you get the benefits of nature?

Sources
  1. Kuo, F. E., & Taylor, A. F. (2004). A potential natural treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: evidence from a national study. American journal of public health, 94(9), 1580–1586.
  2. Park, B. et al. (2010). The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Environmental health and preventive medicine15(1), 18–26.
  3. Sisson, M. (2020, November 6). Forest Bathing. Mark’s Daily Apple.

 

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

17 responses to “Ecotherapy: The Health Benefits of Nature”

  1. Kenny Knowles Avatar
    Kenny Knowles

    Early Sunlight,Low Carbs,wild caught fish,Grass fed beef,Light exercise,intermitten fasting,Clean cool water,
    Deep sleep are all keys to a long healthy life.I would add of all these ,the body will begin to break down with body
    awarenes that it is of no more use in keeping the human spiecies alive and well,
    Therefore keep your body sexually active anyway you can,it matters not how.The human will utilize all of these
    great habits to keep our immune system functioning to the max

  2. Emma Avatar

    This is great, thank you. It’s also a great way to educate kids (and adults) about green initatives; planting trees, picking up rubbish at the park or beach, and using only reusable or recyclable items along the way. It’s amazing how important and what a difference it makes to educate kids early about going green and how we impact the environment.

  3. Maria Avatar

    What a great, well researched post. I really enjoyed reading it. Having moved to the city recently, I can personally testify to the negative effects to my health with less time in nature. Great post! Thank you.

  4. David Hernandez Avatar
    David Hernandez

    If only psychiatrist would use nature instead of drugs, more people would be helped. How much can they bill insurance agencies for a walk?

  5. Gail Avatar

    In the 1987, when 32 I decided to hike on foot, a woman alone walking from Mexico to Oregon on the PCT. It was 45 days in nature, 1700 miles. At the time I was disheartened with local business and my lack of spiritual fortitude.
    It was a wonderful trip, very different than I’d expected, which dramatically changed my life. I was fortunate to have well planed the trip with food caches mailed ahead along the way. I experienced being very intune with nature and animals. I never wanted for anything and if so, it would show up within a few hours on the trail.

  6. Lucille King Avatar
    Lucille King

    Hi, why do you have Hashimoto’s? Try a natural cure. I had an underactive thyroid and I had a goitre with three nodules, one was 1cm in diameter and pressed on my windpipe, so I had to push it out of the way with my finger in order to get a clear breath. I was sleeping 12-14 hrs/day and wiped out all the time. I was packing on weight, it slows your metabolism by up to 60%. I went to the dr for diagnosis. Thyroid is controlled by iodine. Underactive thyroid is lack of iodine. I took purple seaweed tablets. I took 3 (one a day) and no longer had to use my finger jammed in my throat to get a clear breath. I kept taking them and in 3 months went back and all symptoms gone and was cleared of underactive thyroid. underactive thyroid has three babies: type II diabetes, poly cystic ovaries and breast cancer. do some research on you tube. you can take kelp tablets and stop drinking tap water because fluoride is a toxic poison, leaches calcium out of your teeth and bones and also fills the iodine receptors in the brain, then if you do have iodine in your diet, it can’t attach and flushes out.

  7. Larry Avatar

    So many benefits of getting outside and enjoying the beauty of nature. For me walking is one of the most important things we can do for both our body and mind. I simply love walking along a beach or through forests, where I can simply relax, breath fresh air, look at beautiful scenery and exercise my body. We all should be doing this far more frequently than we probably do

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  10. Sonya Avatar

    This is good to know cause I have a four year old who has been diagnosed with a “true deficit disorder” what ever that is. The doctors put him on adderol and I don’t like him taking it so he doesn’t take it everyday. We live in an area where there is a national forest all around us. And our road dead ends into a river. I don’t know why I haven’t used this to my advantage but I will now. Just for the purpose of seeing if it helps with his symptoms. Oh by the way the coconut oil I’m my coffee is what brought me to your site as well as the oil pulling.

  11. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    We just came back from a week long camping trip as a family and strongly believe in all of this! I noticed as always so many changes in the way I felt and slept even the kids. We try to camp as much as possible! The fresh mountain air does a lot of good for everyone!

  12. Rosanna Avatar
    Rosanna

    Eye health – haven’t heard of that one, but it makes a lot of sense. Besides the park with my kiddos, i don’t get out in nature enough and it does so much for my mood. Thanks for the reminder 🙂

  13. Teresa Rey Avatar
    Teresa Rey

    if i wake feeling bad i do earthing . for maybe 20 minutes and i feel better.

  14. Gina Avatar

    Thank you for this post- I so agree- I just heard about grounding and want to try it. I have chronic inflammation and other health issues. But being among nature I definitely think has tons of benefits. My grandparents lived till their 90’s and I think it had a lot to do with how much time they spent outside in the garden. I know when I get outside and get some fresh air and sunlight I feel so much better!

  15. Rainah Avatar

    I’ve not heard it put this way at all, but I personally believe in ‘wind therapy’, and even ‘temperature therapy’.

    Just as ‘brushing’ helps with toxins, I personally believe that the wind does something akin to brush therapy.

    I also find that my tolerance to temperature changes is more manageable when I am able to get out into nature for short periods of time, more frequently. If I am able to tolerate more ‘stress’ (from heat or cold), then something must have been made stronger, IMHO.

    Nothing scientific here, just thinking out loud.

    ……..

    That said, I’m a huge proponent of a Charlotte Mason education, and she was all about getting children outside, in the environment they were made for. Visual spatial development, cause and affect in space and time, sensory stimulations that cannot be matched ‘in lesson format’ and so much more are build it. Furthermore, if one knows anything about what they are doing, they can very readily turn a ‘bug siting’ into a math lesson, an English comp lesson (the easiest comp skills are descriptive ‘writing’, then they move on to narrative ‘writing’…. both of which are possible simply by rejoicing in ‘nature expolorations together’), a spelling lesson (it’s in there, for real……, learning to describe and remember the visual picture of a bug or a bird is very much like learning to spell words……: see the bird, hear the bird, name the bird: see the letter, hear the letter, name the letter: see the word, hear the word, name the word…., recognizing the word like a face in a crowd…., etc.), a lesson in logic (asking leading questions, modeling the questions after those found at the end of each lesson in Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study), etc., etc., etc.,

    And what’s good for the children, is good for the mama too! Mom might need to simplify meal prep and etc., but there’s *nothing* like the great outdoors for any of us, perhaps particularly for children.

    Some of them might need a bit of practice to learn to appreciate it, but they can build up to amazing levels of appreciation.

    If you’d like support and guidance in such pursuits with children in particular, find a Charlotte Mason support group near you, or online (personally, I recommend AmblesideOnline, but there are other great supports out there as well).

  16. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    I just met a very knowledgeable lady today at Whole Foods named Mary, who recommended your site. Such great information here. Thank you!

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