Nature-Based Therapy for Mental Health Recovery

Therapy is most often thought of to be an indoor verbal and cognitive activity. However, nature-based therapy is innovative and evidence-backed and considers nature to be a partner in the healing process rather than merely an environment. The natural environment and having greater access to “green space” supports emotional and psychological well-being. Nature has also been proven to have restorative effects and cause physiological relaxation and immune function recover (Song et al., 2016). Integrating outdoors into the therapeutic practice offers children an opportunity to feel grounded in a technology driven world, and to appreciate the healing that nature may provide them with.

How Nature Helps Children Cope

Spending time in natural settings has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress in children. Unstructured play in nature aids in improving your child’s emotional regulation and attention span. Exposure to green spaces has been linked to better academic performance and fewer behavioral problems in children with ADHD (Van Den Berg et al., 2017). Nature based therapy also taps into the sensory benefits of the outdoors. The sights, sounds, and textures of natural environment stimulate mindfulness and allows children to be present with their thoughts, feelings, and sensations.

Practical Applications for Parents and Caregivers

Incorporating nature-based activities into your child’s routine is quite simple. Here are a few options to consider.

Forest Walks: Guided walks can teach mindfulness and relaxation. Encourage your child to use all their senses to immerse themselves—encourage your child to notice the rustling of the leaves, chirping birds, or the texture of tree bark.

Gardening Together: Digging, planting, and watering can instill responsibility and patience. For children dealing with anxiety, the tactile experience of handling soil and water can be grounding and can help alleviate some of the anxiety and tension they are feeling.

Outdoor Games: Encourage group outdoor games such as playing hide-and-seek with the neighbors.

Nature-Based Art Projects: Gather leaves, rocks, twigs, or flowers during a walk and use them to create art. You can encourage your child to try to make pictures, abstracts, or mandalas out of the items they’ve founds. This will allow your child to express their creativity and feel connected to nature.

The Role of Therapists in Nature-Based Interventions

Child therapists like myself, can harness the healing power of nature to support emotional and psychological growth in children. By moving therapy sessions from traditional indoor settings to parks, gardens, or wooded areas, therapists can provide children with a soothing sanctuary for emotional growth. Simple activities like walking barefoot on grass, listening to the sounds of nature, or participating in guided explorations allow for grounding and mindfulness. These interventions help reduce anxiety and other mental health symptoms.

For instance, adventure therapy—a form of nature-based intervention—can build confidence and coping skills in children through activities like hiking or team-based outdoor challenges. Nature-based interventions in therapy settings improve emotional regulation, enhance problem-solving skills, and encourage a more profound connection to the world around them (Joschko et al., 2023).

The Science Behind Nature Therapy

Stress Reduction: Spending just 20 minutes in nature can significantly lower cortisol levels (Hunter et al., 2019).

Boosting Mental Clarity: Natural environments encourage mindfulness and reduce rumination, which is helpful for children prone to anxiety.

Improved Physical Health: Outdoor play strengthens the body, improve immune function, and supports mental wellness by releasing endorphins through exercise.

Takeaways

Nature-based therapy offers a refreshing, effective way to improve children’s mental health. Whether through a family hike or gardening, small steps can make a big difference. Therapists, parents, and caregivers have the opportunity to utilize nature as a catalyst for healing, helping children resolve challenges in a calm, grounded way. Embracing the outdoors is a step toward budling stronger mental health foundations, where nature becomes a partner in the process of healing and growth.

Hunter, M. C. R., Gillespie, B. W., & Chen, S. Y.-P. (2019). Urban Nature Experiences Reduce Stress in the Context of Daily Life Based on Salivary Biomarkers. Frontiers in Psychology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00722

Joschko, L., Pálsdóttir, A. M., Grahn, P., & Hinse, M. (2023). Nature-Based Therapy in Individuals with Mental Health Disorders, with a Focus on Mental Well-Being and Connectedness to Nature—A Pilot Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 2167. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032167

Song, C., Ikei, H., & Miyazaki, Y. (2016). Physiological Effects of Nature Therapy: A Review of the Research in Japan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(8), 781. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13080781

van den Berg, A. E., Hartig, T., & Staats, H. (2007). Preference for Nature in Urbanized Societies: Stress, Restoration, and the Pursuit of Sustainability. Journal of Social Issues, 63(1), 79–96. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.2007.00497.x