Should Nature Be Part of Your Therapy?

Our daily lives are often full to the brim of responsibilities, worries, tasks to complete on our computers and phones. We drive around in our cars and sit in our offices and houses, often surrounded by walls and overstimulated by ads, TVs, social media, city noise, lights, and endless information to take in. People are experiencing burnout and feelings of disconnection at rapidly increasing rates. Our modern lives are failing to maintain a sustainable balance for us.

Now imagine a calm place in your mind for a moment. Is it somewhere outdoors? I have found in my experience as a therapist that when I ask my clients to imagine a calm place in their mind, it never fails to be a peaceful place outdoors. People often choose a beach, forest, lakeside, meadow, mountain top or vast desert canyon. So we know where we find ourselves at peace, yet how often are we making it a priority to immerse ourselves in these soothing environments? For most of us, not often enough!

The therapy setting is a perfect place to tune into the connection to your natural environment. Nature becomes a co-therapist, offering insight through metaphors, fresh air and relaxing views, and recognition of its entwinement in our lives in a way we often tune out in our busy lives. Nature-informed therapy can also reduce your sedentary time, help complete stress responses through somatic movement, and stimulate mental flow. Give it a try! Free yourself from an enclosed office space and feel yourself expand as your natural environment holds space for you in a way only nature can. Reach out to Solace in the Wild to schedule nature therapy sessions in Salt Lake City, or inquire with your own therapist if they offer walk and talk outdoor sessions!