NATURE THERAPY

Nature therapy, also called ecotherapy, is the practice of being in nature to boost mental and physical health. Other terms used are green care, green therapy, or outdoor therapy. 

​

Types of Nature Therapy

Because nature therapy programs can include a variety of activities, there are different types of therapies. Some are listed below;

• Adventure therapy. This uses activities that explore nature and can be done in an individual or group setting. Rafting and rock climbing are good examples.

• Animal-assisted interventions or therapy. Both of these options include spending time with animals. Animal-assisted interventions use locations like farms where you can pet or feed the animals.

• Arts and crafts. As the name suggests, this type combines creative crafts with nature. You might use your creative skills to paint in a green space, like a park or a forest. This type also includes using natural materials like clay, grass, or wood or using green spaces as inspiration for art.

• Green exercise. Here, you’ll do physical activities in green spaces. That could be running, going on a walk, or taking a bike ride, for example.

• Therapeutic farming. With this type, you’ll participate in farming activities, so you might grow crops or take care of farm animals.

• Therapeutic horticulture. This involves gardening, so you might grow food in community gardens. Sometimes therapeutic horticulture leads to other activities, like selling home-grown crops at a farmer’s market.

• Wilderness therapy. This type of therapy works well in a group. You’ll spend time in the wild doing activities like hiking or making shelters.