The Therapeutic Effects of Nature by Jennifer Nguyen (Associate Counsellor)
Photo Credit: Moriah Wolfe
As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, being in nature has personally helped me gain a sense of clarity and peace. After a stressful and overwhelming week, I find myself prioritizing ways to spend more time outside. May that be going for longer walks with my dog, finding new places to hike, strolling through the city, or playing a sport outdoors. Nature has a way of bringing me back to equilibrium.
Did you know that being in nature improves our mental well-being?
Being in nature helps:
Reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, anger, fatigue, and sadness
Improve mood by feeling more relaxed, calm, and balanced
Increase attention and concentration span
Reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation
Increase sense of creativity, purpose, and meaning in life
Being active or having movement in nature also improves our physical well-being by:
Reducing blood pressure and heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones
Reducing irritability, headaches, and indigestion
Improving sleep quality
In addition, researchers have studied nature’s healing effects in a number of areas, including:
Depression
Anxiety
Stress
ADHD
Obesity
Therefore, I am so excited to be incorporating nature and wellness into my practice. I offer Walk and Talk Therapy in Surrey urban forests during the summer months.
Walk and Talk Therapy
Walk and Talk Therapy is similar to virtual or in-person counselling. However, the difference is the setting. Rather than sitting in an office or facing your screen, we will be walking around Surrey's urban forests. The setting may feel more casual, less private, and slightly more stimulating due to possible events happening around us.
During our time together, we will be delving into your concerns while taking deep breaths to slow down and taking a few moments to acknowledge being in nature and experiencing nature. My hope is that after the session, you gain a sense of calmness, restoration, and a different insight or perspective toward how to approach or view your concerns.
You are welcome to book a free 20 minute initial consultation for Walk and Talk Therapy.
