Abstract
Connection with nature has been considered beneficial for psychological well-being since times of evolution. Differences in Indian and Western thoughts have viewed natural elements in different lights, varying between eco-centrism to anthropocentrism. The intrusion of technology and digitalized lives as a result of globalization has decreased connectedness with nature. Ecotherapy is a novel form of psychotherapeutic technique based on explicit environmental or ecological interventions. Social and therapeutic horticulture, animal-assisted interventions, care farming, green exercise, environmental conservation and wilderness therapy are some of the ecosystem-based approaches used in mental health. Based on the principles of positive and client-centered psychology, ecotherapy-related techniques have been shown to be effective in medical disorders like hypertension, obesity, post-surgical recovery and psychosocial conditions like depression, stress reduction, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder (ADHD) and adjustment disorders. The principles of ecotherapy have been integrated into other psychotherapeutic techniques for better efficacy. This review attempts provides an overview of techniques, applications and challenges related to ecotherapy in psychology. The implications of its use during the ongoing Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) crisis, social isolation and consequent psychosocial aftermath are also discussed.
Highlights
The conception that man is an integral and indispensable part of nature with mutually nourishing existence has been emphasized in Indian philosophy since time immemorial
He attempts to differentiate his notion of ecotherapy from ecopsychology: “Ecotherapy refers to both the healing and the growth that is nurtured by healthy interaction with the earth,” whereas ecopsychology refers “to what is called the ‘greening of psychology”’ [42]
We can place our hands on the soil to feel grounded, vade in the water to feel emotionally healed, fill our lungs with fresh air to feel mentally clear, raise our faces to the heat of the sun and connect with the fire to feel the immense power within us, the sum of which is, physical connection with nature has an ameliorating effect on our mental health concerns
Summary
The conception that man is an integral and indispensable part of nature with mutually nourishing existence has been emphasized in Indian philosophy since time immemorial. For most it took a pandemic and the consequent home confinement to be reminded of mankind’s barbaric and unpardonable acts of destroying ecological balance and it’s interdependent relationship with mankind and for the realization to set in that how interaction with nature can soothe us, create positive affect, elevating experiences and a general sense of connectedness to life as a whole [15] During this COVID-19 pandemic when man is restricted within the periphery of his residence and nature has started reclaiming itself through reappearance of species that were rarely to be seen, many of us are discovering new birds, observing the crimson rays of the setting sun, being enthralled by the freshness of the morning air when the first ray of a new day welcomes us with hope for a brighter future or may be nurturing our houseplants, all of which are making us feel better. Adequate understanding of the gap with our wider world and the vicious acts of human beings is a priority for protecting human health wherein the emerging field of ecotherapy may have potential usefulness
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