Being in nature has always had a special effect on me. Whether it’s sitting at the beach, looking at the ocean, strolling in the park or meditating in the rainforest, there is a distinct change that I notice. You feel yourself slowly and deeply relax. You are at times not consciously aware that you are taking deep breaths as your nervous system starts to ease to a state of calm and peace. From the sights of nature to the sounds, this multi-sensory experience has positive restorative effects on our physical and mental health and wellbeing. A vast amount of research has discovered natures healing effects not limited to:
Reduced blood pressure.
Reduced stress hormones.
Reduced pain.
Reduced anxiety and depression.
Improved immune system.
Improved memory.
Improved concentration.
Interest continues to rapidly grow in understanding these effects to which nature can influence the long-term health of the human body. A formal therapy named ‘Shinrin-Yoku’, or forest bathing researched and developed in Japan in the 80’s is widely popular in Europe and the US and has made its impact in Australia. In its simple form it is making contact with nature through your body and mind and taking in the atmosphere of the forest. The benefits are outstanding with The Association of Nature and Forest Therapy adopting this therapy through guiding training.
With the benefits of nature gaining wide exposure, it is driving childcare and school environments to continue its expansion to include outdoor play and natural elements, all of which support children’s physical, emotional and social development in an ever-changing sensory stimulating environment.
Recent research by the University of Melbourne of school children aged five to eighteen years, provided a direct link between nature exposure and improved cognition in the areas of attention and memory. Intervention included walks in the park, plants in indoor classrooms, playing outdoors, as well as gardening, to more passive exposure of seeing nature from a classroom window. All had similar positive results whether the interventions were shorter or longer in duration. This makes nature exposure critical for growing brains, restoring cognitive functions, providing relief from cognitive overload and enhancing learning.
How we bring nature into therapy
What better way to work on developmental skills and group play than to bring your child out to play with sand, leaves and water in a child-led sensory exploration. At Clarity & Me Occupational Therapy, our serene location features open greenery, an ancient Banyan tree, securely fenced lake and an array of birds that surround ‘The Atrium’ our therapy cottage.
Whether it is therapy or group programs, you may find your child gardening our little herb pots for fine motor development and sequencing to participating in a team treasure hunt to work on following instructions, problem solving, gross motor, body awareness, emotional regulation, visual spatial skills and much more! We love kids to develop their important life skills through fun, confidence building activities such as picking limes from our lime tree and painting rock stones to be hidden for another child’s discovery.
I leave you with this reflection. We are all aware as humans in today’s fast paced world, with increased urbanisation, technology exposure, and the strains of a COVID pandemic driving up anxiety rates, living can be mentally and physically draining. We need nature to reduce stress and anxiety, to feel balanced. Children need nature as they are getting less exposure to it; and what better way to drive a child's curiosity and desire to learn. They need a natural ever-changing environment for all the amazing benefits it provides and the countless opportunities to explore, discover and at times just ‘be’.