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Nature therapy is the new prescription for a healthy mind, body, and spirit! Health care professionals (at least across Canada) will now be prescribing a sweet dose of nature to their patients, and tracking their progress with follow-up appointments! What a brilliant idea, I say! 🙂

Normally we’d expect a prescription for any number of drugs that may alleviate our symptoms. Now, research shows that time spent in nature improves blood pressure, immunity, and is great for reducing anxiety. It balances moods, and resets our circadian rhythm. I can attest to that! I’ve really been feeling the lack of connection during this pandemic, and the tall Spruce and Evergreens have comforted me a great deal. The trees provide grounding, and balance, and nature provides a beautiful space for us to just breathe and be.

Spending time being mindful in nature can have many health benefits – Physical, mental, spiritual, emotional. The effects of nature therapy on our mental health will be noticed after just 20 minutes per day of being active amongst the trees, in the garden, by the water, or on the mountain. I’ve noticed a real difference lately between going for a walk in the city amongst the cars, stores, and houses versus walking in the forest. This so-called “forest bathing” is backed by science as a way of significantly reducing stress and improving mental health.

Don’t believe it? Then be sure to check my References page for quality readings, documentaries, webcasts, and articles on the topics that interest you! There’s a great article there on forest bathing!

Nature Therapy Benefits For Your Mental Health

What’s Stopping You From Getting the Support You Need?

Why would you go out into the forest anyways? Isn’t it dangerous? Well, sometimes it’s just not all that affordable or desirable to seek out counselling services, attend a support group, or get involved in cognitive-behavioural therapy. There’s also a great deal of stigma attached to mental health and illness. Unfortunately, this may prevent you from seeking the help you need. There are many barriers that stop us from asking for help.

That’s why nature therapy is a wonderful starting point that can offer more support and healing than you ever imagined. Not only is it a easy place to start, but making nature a daily or weekly priority is important for your overall health. If you make it part of your routine, it will ensure that the health benefits are maintained over time. I enjoy a lot of alone-time in the forest, but you can invite friends, join a group, and bring your bear spray if it makes you feel more comfortable! Sometimes the company of others, and having a good laugh is just the right medicine!

Blue Skies, Sunshine & Vitamin D

One way nature will heal you is by giving you access to the “sunshine vitamin”, Vitamin D. Studies show the positive effects of Vitamin D on your overall health and immunity, including some protection from Covid-19. I love heading out into the sunshine, even if just for a little while on my sunny patio. It does wonders for my sense of peace, clarity, and feeling into what I’d like to do with the rest of my day or weekend. The sun always puts a smile on my face and a warmth in my heart. It energizes me for active adventures, and puts me in a great mood! Sunlight is like a natural anti-depressant, and it reduces anxiety. Just 10-20 minutes per day is the recommendation, and you will be feeling better about life in no time!

Nature Therapy Reduces Your Unwanted Stress

No one likes to feel stressed out or burnt out, but with workplace, family, relationship, financial, and other pressures, it’s easy to fall into negativity and unhealthy patterns. When stress goes unchecked, it can cause high blood pressure, physical pain in the body, or even disease. Mentally, we feel drained, exhausted, and lose our zest for life. Emotionally, we may become irritable, angry, or resentful. We may take this out on others, and even on ourselves. Turning to addictions, like alcohol or other substances is one way we may try to alleviate the stress. Over-eating, or binge eating on junk food may become a bad habit too.

Nature Therapy Solutions

One solution, of course, is some serious forest bathing for stress relief! Even if you don’t have a forest or lake nearby, getting outside for a daily walk can be beneficial to your overall health. I make sure I go for a walk in the neighbourhood, or in a nearby park every day, even when I don’t feel like it. It gets the blood flowing, the juices circulating, and the body stretched out. Not to mention, it clears my mind, and puts me in a better mood to get on with my day. Remember, the trees are there to help us breathe, and sometimes when we’re stressed, we forget to breathe deeply!

Don’t forget the hidden treasures in nature too! Sometimes I’m pleasantly surprised to see a Northern Flicker, or catch the sunlight shining through the wings of a Magpie in flight. On occasion, I can see or hear a Peregrine Falcon swooping about. In Spring, I’m blessed to see some beautiful flowering cherry and apple trees, and fragrant flowers. This is in the middle of the city, where nature is there if you look for it! Any of these pleasant sightings or smells can really boost your mood and reduce stress, along with the exercise you are getting! Become present in the moment, and take note of the sights and sounds of nature that help you forget your troubles.

Time To Walk Away From the Screens

Oh my, this is one I am very guilty of! Too much social media, and too much time spent in front of the computer! At least I’ve managed to eliminate TV and movies, but I spend more time in front of the laptop than I’d like to admit! Thankfully, I’ve also spent much of my life outside, being healed and supported by our beautiful Mother Earth. I’ve made being mindful in nature a healthy habit to balance out the screen time.

Studies show that too much screen time is affecting our physical bodies, creating hunched shoulders and neck problems. It’s also reducing our ability to concentrate and may even be contributing to attention deficit disorder. Nature therapy will redirect our attention in healthy ways. Our eyes can focus on a beautiful lush forest or horizon in the distance. Focusing on something in the distance improves our vision after a lengthy time in front of the screens. We can release our minds from whatever it was caught up in on the screen, and create space for clarity, new ideas, and creation. Movement and flow in nature will surely help our bodies, minds, and spirits from the stagnation of prolonged periods in front of our technology.

Connecting To Your Soul Through Nature Therapy

One of my favourite past times if you have been following me is being mindful out in nature. This means getting in touch with your soul through present moment awareness. When we focus on one beautiful moment at a time while we are immersed in nature, our senses light up, and we experience the world through a clearer lens. We can reflect on ourselves, how we feel, and the quality of our thoughts.

The plants, trees, wind, rain, snow, ice, sun, and animals teach us lessons through observation. When we take the time to notice the beauty of nature, we start to feel grateful for every little pleasure that exists there. This translates into feeling more peace in our own lives, outside of nature. It’s a great place to discover who you really are. Once you know that, you are ready to set goals to achieve a new, healthy way of being.

Click here for More Benefits of Nature Therapy and How To Get Started!

By now, you should see why Canada’s doctors are jumping on board to prescribe nature therapy as a remedy for what ails you! The whole premise behind this website is mindfulness in NATURE. It makes the challenges and difficulties of my world so much easier to handle, and my moods so much happier. I hope you find nature just as healing and supportive in your life too.

Lee Spirit is an avid outdoors adventurer with a love for nature, photography, health & fitness, wellness, and spirituality. Her own personal journey has led her to the  study and practice of mindfulness, health, wellness, yoga, spirituality, sound healing, meditation, and personal development for over 20 years. Subscribe to Lee’s FREE MindfulNatureNut Guided Meditations!