Nature Visualization, health and ecotherapy research

  


  Nature guided imagery is more effective than guided imagery based on urban settings. A study published by Frontiers in Psychology assessed the effects of two different types of guided imagery to learn if one was better than the other (1). To qualify for the study participants had to be 18 years of age or older, and they had to suffer anxiety symptoms. A score for their anxiety was obtained before and after the guided imagery.

  Participants had to do both types of guided imagery (the nature-based imagery and the urban type of imagery). A specially trained psychologist collaborated with the researchers. The study concluded that both types of imagery were of benefit to reduce anxiety, but nature-based guided imagery was found to be even more effective than the urban-based imagery (1).

 Yoga is a mindful holistic practice that awakens the awareness of union and connection with nature. Hence, yoga acknowledges the need to establish a healthy relationship with the environment. From an ecotherapy perspective the mental and physical health of a human being is connected with the health of the earth and its natural ecosystems (2). The preservation of ecosystems, the quality of air, water, soil and climate are all related to human health.

Interaction with nature is also of vital importance to support cognitive and emotional health (3, 4, 5).

  Several studies have shown that contact with nature helps to prevent stress and soothe anxiety. Even viewing scenes of nature is associated with increased levels of serotonin. Serotonin has an antidepressant effect in the body. Viewing scenes of nature also reduces aggression and post-stress anger. It should not come as a surprise that there is more crime in cities with less green spaces (10). Studies have shown that a simple walk in nature can reduce anxiety, enhance the mood, and improve memory. EEG devices were used to study brain waves during a walk in nature compared to walks in indoor spaces (6, 7). Participants were more likely to experience meditative-like brain waves and to exhibit less frustration if they were walking in a green space compared to a shopping street or a busy business area. Research also showed better cognitive performance when the walk is done in green spaces instead of indoors.

Flowering plants and foliage in hospital rooms were associated with better physiological responses, greater patients' satisfaction and the use of less pain medication when compared with a control group of patients (2).

  The use of green care as an aspect of ecotherapy is also emerging as a field of research. Green care includes care farming, animal-assisted interventions, social and therapeutic horticulture, healing gardens and facilitated green exercise (2, 8).

  A systematic review and meta-analysis published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that nature-based mindfulness has positive effects on physical, psychological and social conditions (9). According to their research nature-based mindfulness was also found to be superior to non-nature mindfulness (9).

  When human health is understood from an integrated perspective that includes social and environmental interactions, the science of medicine may be more open to address public health issues that require research, actions and policies to protect both human health and the environment.

 

References:

1)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6176042/

2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6085576/

3) https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature

4)https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/7/eaax0903

5) https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0155614

6)https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/16078055.2018.1445025

7) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19438150903378425?src=recsys

8)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5406676/

9) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6747393/

10) https://neurosciencenews.com/greenspace-crime-reduction-15813/




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