As the ground warms and turns green, people eagerly leave their indoor winter prisons with the instinctive knowledge that getting out in nature is a form of depression therapy. From delicate pinks to bright, trumpeting yellows, Springs rich bouquet of flowers inspires smiles and joy, foretelling of the hot summer fun that is to come.
Nature Can Help Depression
Forest bathing or nature bathing has been known for centuries, especially in Asian cultures (known as Shinrin-Yoku), to help alleviate the symptoms of depression. As the land shrugs off its winter sleep the infectious feeling of revitalization and new beginnings spread to everyone, even those who live in the cities. As the weather warms the desire to enjoy time out of doors ripens. Taking walks in nature has a twofold benefit for easing depression. The proximity to nature and the exercise of the walk both help to ease the crippling symptoms of depression.
Stanford Study Highlights Benefits of Nature Bathing
This study compared individuals who went for a 90-minute walk either along an urban street or in the forest.
The study revealed that those who walked in the natural setting showed a decreased area of stimulation in the brain which correlates to decreased worry. Additionally, a Japanese study indicated that older adults who go out less report more depression than those who go out more frequently.
Essex University Study Shows Benefits Of Ecotherapy
A similar study, this one out of the University of Essex demonstrated that nature walkers showed alleviated depression. 71% of the nature walkers felt less depressed after their walk. The non-nature walkers who walked in a shopping mall reported back with only 45% feeling less depressed. Shockingly though, 22% of mall walkers reported feeling more depressed. Both of these studies indicate that time spent in nature can have very beneficial physical and mental effects.
Depression Therapy and Nature Bathing
While forest bathing can certainly help decrease depression, combining it with depression counseling creates an even more powerful set of tools for you. Nature bathing as a calming methodology works hand in hand with depression therapy by helping you to redirect your focus away from your depression, which in turn, gives you the respite you need to focus on addressing the depression with the tools from therapy. It is easier to do the inner work that combats depression while the blissful outdoors works as a healing balm against your depression symptoms.
A soothing walk through the park or by the water, drinking in the lush vegetation and the endearing calls of the birds is an ideal way to begin or end a therapy session. Time spent in nature before your therapy session can prepare you to absorb the new tools and information that your therapist will help you to discover. Forest bathing after will give you the time you need to deeply process what you’ve uncovered during therapy. Reminiscent of the trees that you pass, you too will begin to put down deep tap roots into the fertile soil of your mind anchoring yourself in your new depression free life.
Depression Therapy Mississauga
Mississauga is rich with generous parks teaming with flowers and greenery and secluded trails that beckon you to take a meditative walk along them. Discover all the nature that the waterfront has to offer here and in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Reach out to Life Changes Therapy to help release your depression while you enjoy the benefits of forest bathing. Call: 289-242-1215.
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