A number of care projects now use Green Therapy to help people who experience mental distress and evidence is mounting for the effectiveness of interventions like green gyms and care farms.   These kinds of approaches are collectively labelled ‘green therapy’ and in recent years this movement has emerged to champion the benefits of a whole range of interventions including social and therapeutic horticulture, and animal assisted therapy in farm settings.   In Europe green therapy farming projects are more common than in the UK and are used by people experiencing a range of mental health problems including work related stress, mild to moderate depression and drug or alcohol addiction.   They are also available to disaffected young people.

What national and international organisations say
The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health estimates the current annual cost of physical inactivity in England at £8.2 billion.   The Government's Chief Medical Officer has stated that physical activity is effective in the treatment of clinical depression and can be as successful as psychotherapy or medication, particularly in the longer term.   Lord Layard agrees and The Depression Report argues the case for Green Therapy as an alternative to other treatment options for mild to moderate depression.

The mental health charity MIND states that Green Therapy (also referred to as Ecotherapy) should be recognised as a clinically valid treatment for mental distress.   They believe it to be a treatment free of unpleasant side effects, which offers a cost effective and natural addition to existing treatments.

Recent research
Recent research concluded that green exercise, as opposed to exercise alone:

• improved psychological wellbeing by enhancing mood and self-esteem, while reducing feelings of anger, confusion, depression and tension
• had a wide range of physical health benefits including a reduction in blood pressure
• helped to facilitate social interaction and connectivity

One study measured the effects of 10 green exercise activities, including walking, cycling, horse riding, fishing, canal boating and conservation activities.   Results showed that participants were significantly less angry, depressed, confused and tense after engaging in green exercise.   Self-esteem levels also improved significantly and these findings are supported by other studies in Europe and Australia.   The consistent message is that contact with green spaces improves psychological health and mental wellbeing.   It provides a restorative environment for people to relax, unwind and recharge their batteries as well as facilitating social contact.   Crucially the combination of exercise and engagement with nature adds up to more than the benefits of either alone.

I strongly believe that the rhythms of nature have the capacity to calm, heal, energise and inspire and I try to integrate a ‘green therapy’ approach with my counselling and other therapeutic work.   I now offer Walk and Talk weekends and I am also happy to discuss personally designed treatment plans, which may include walking, cycling, swimming or other activities.

For more information please contact me.