Connecting to nature : how nature facilitates wellness

Abstract

This study posed the question: How does connecting to nature facilitate welless. The Critical Incident Technique (Flanagan, 1954) was employed to develop a reasonably comprehensive scheme of categories that describe what, in connecting to nature, facilitates wellness. Twelve participants were interviewed which resulted in the elicitation of 80 critical incidents. These incidents were organized into seven categories wliich were tested for soundness and trustworthiness. The categories indicate that wellness can be facilitated by: observation of the natural environment, observation of animals, activities in nature, overcoming a challenge in nature, performing a ceremony in nature, expressing feelings in nature, and extraordinary experiences in nature. A preliminary examination of the outcomes described in the 80 critical incidents suggests that empowennent, relaxation, release, perspective and connection can result from making a connection to nature. A preliminary examination of what led up to the critical incidents was also conducted and revealed that emotional turmoil, decision-making, engaging in outdoor activities and work are possible precursors to the facilitation of wellness in nature. The findings of this study are presented in a reasonably comprehensive scheme of categories that describe how nature can facilitate wellness. These findings contribute to the field of counselhng psychology by providing an exploratory examination of an area previously overlooked, and by indicating potential implications for both research and practice.