ECOTHERAPY: SIMPLE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES TO REDUCE STRESS

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Ecotherapy is a type of therapeutic treatment that is gaining in popularity around the world. It encompasses a wide variety of activities that encourage us to engage with the natural world to stabilize and improve our mental and physical health. Ecotherapy covers a wide range of activities, from simply sitting in a park to taking long mountain hikes, going wilderness camping, or growing a few plants in your home. With many of us spending more time than ever at home, we could all use some simple ecotherapy activities anyone can do on their own. 

BENEFITS OF ECOTHERAPY

Ecotherapy can help us feel more grounded and feel more relaxed. It can reduce depression, anger, and lower anxiety and stress levels. While improving our mood and self-esteem. It can also give you reprieve from the constant bombardment of negative news. Similar to how taking a break from social media can sometimes help us feel better, taking a break from the news cycle can have a positive effect on our mental health as well. 

Trying to stay safe and protect our family, friends, and neighbors during this pandemic can be an extremely stressful experience. We can all benefit from ecotherapy activities that reduce stress as we navigate these trying times.

SIMPLE IDEAS FOR ECOTHERAPY AT HOME

GET OUTSIDE, SAFELY

Social distancing can be challenging, and while everyone is being encouraged to stay home to keep the most vulnerable safe, you can still get some fresh air as long as you're careful. When you go outdoors, make sure you're keeping a safe and respectful distance between you and the others around you.

  • Find the local parks and green spaces in your neighborhood and go for a walk to visit them. Even a 10-minute walk outside per day can improve your mood and get some endorphins flowing.

  • Plan a picnic to a local park, or in your backyard, or on your patio. 

  • Find a tree, whether in your own backyard or a local park and sit underneath it for a while. Lean back against the tree, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Open your eyes and watch the branches of the tree against the sky for a few minutes. 

  • If you have a bike, go for a ride around your community and explore a new area.

  • If you have a car, go for a drive outside of the city and explore the countryside.

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TRY GROWING SOMETHING

Whether you have a big backyard with a garden, a tiny balcony, or even just a sunny window sill, you can grow a few plants to help you connect with nature. 

  • Order some soil, pots, and seeds or small plants from our garden center and ask to arrange curbside pickup. Many herbs and leafy vegetables can be grown indoors, and there are thousands of plants you can grow outdoors in space-saving containers.

  • If you have a backyard, try planting some native plants for the local pollinators. Native plants attract birds, bees, and butterflies to your yard, and they require very little maintenance on your part.

  • If you've got houseplants, spend some time taking care of them. Maybe they need repotting, pruning, or fertilizing. Or take a few cuttings to propagate new houseplants.

SPEND SOME TIME WITH ANIMALS

If you have a pet, spend some extra time with them! They'll love the extra attention, and it's great for your mental health as well. 

  • Take your dogs for an extra walk. 

  • Teach pets some new tricks; there are many videos available on how to train all kinds of animals on Youtube.

  • Build your cats a fort out of cardboard boxes.

  • Hide treats around the house for your pet to find.

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BRING NATURE INDOORS

If going outside is not an option for you, see if you can find alternative ways to engage with nature. It's not quite the same as getting outside, but it can still be calming to focus your mind on the natural world, even if you are unable to touch it. 

  • Crack a window open to get a breath of fresh air. 

  • Get a family member or friend to bring you some plants, or some spring branches, for you to enjoy inside

  • Digitally, there are many nature documentaries available on Netflix, Youtube, or other platforms. Watch a few, and let yourself marvel at the beauty of nature for a little while.

  • Read books, blogs (like ours), or magazines about gardening, nature, and the outdoors. 

  • Journal about what you can see outside your window, and record the changes you can observe from your vantage point.

This is a difficult time around the world, but by working together, we will get through it. Finding a way to engage with nature, however possible, can help all of us lower our stress levels a little bit. If there's any way we can help you benefit from some ecotherapy here in Indianapolis, don't hesitate to give us a call. We're committed to supporting our community and keeping everyone safe. 

Mattew DammannDammann's Garden CompanyDammann's Garden Company, Indianapolis, Annuals, gardening tips, gardening, easy gardening, plant care, landscape design, landscaping, landscape, self care, healthy living, healthy garden, outdoors, ecotherapy, nature