How can nature therapy help with stress?

When we are out in nature, the part of the brain called the hippocampus rests. This part of the brain is overloaded when we are stressed, indoors, sitting behind a computer, or driving a car, as the hippocampus has to sort approximately 10,000,000 pieces of information per second down to 12-15 pieces per second. This is an energy-intensive task.

How often do you need to go into nature to achieve an effect?

My pampering is a minimum of 30 minutes daily, but preferably more. The Swedish botanist and doctor Carl Linnaeus said: 8 hours of work, 8 hours outdoors, and 8 hours of sleep, and you'll be well. It's always about a life in balance. A balance between activity and rest – between doing and being.

How have you seen nature therapy work on us humans?

I see a beneficial effect with garden therapy, where the participant engages in meaningful activities 1-3 times a week. These activities can include sitting by a campfire, possibly with mindfulness guidance, or curiously examining a leaf, bark, or flower with a magnifying glass as if for the first time. Another option is caring for a plant with water, light, and nourishment. The most important thing isn't what it is, but that the activity in nature is adapted to where the patient is at that moment. For example, over a 12-week period, I could observe how a patient gradually shifted from needing to be alone in a specific wild and untamed place to being able to engage in social activities. Eventually, the person was able to offer a mindfulness session for the other participants, who were also suffering from stress or burnout.

How can we implement nature therapy in everyday life?

In everyday life, we can all prioritize being outdoors for at least 30 minutes every day. We can go for a walk, focusing on the nature that surrounds us. In the office, I recommend essential oils, which can reduce stress for the care staff. For patients on psychiatric wards, I often give young inpatients foot baths followed by foot massages with lavender massage oil and then add a few drops of lavender essential oil to their pillows to help them fall asleep.

How did you work with stressed individuals at Luciaklinikken back in the day?

At Luciaklinikken, we had direct access to nature. In the garden surrounding the castle, all eight experience characters were available, which are needed when one needs to seek out where one is best supported. These eight nature types are: Species-rich, spacious, peaceful, safe, open, cultural-historical, popular, and wild. We often had nature activities that contained symbolism, where participants could recognize themselves. This could be, for example, through activities like making a fire or getting plants to sprout. Several needed help practicing switching between being in activity and in rest. 

I believe nature holds such immense power and profoundly affects us humans because we are intrinsically part of it. We evolved within it, and our biology, psychology, and even our cultural development are deeply intertwined with the natural world. The rhythms of nature—the changing seasons, the cycles of life and death, the vastness of the sky, the intricate details of a leaf—resonate with something fundamental within us.This connection likely stems from several factors:* **Evolutionary Roots:** For millennia, human survival depended directly on understanding and interacting with nature. Our senses are finely tuned to detect subtle changes, and our brains are wired to find patterns and meaning in natural phenomena. These innate responses continue to influence us even in modern, urban environments. * **Sensory Engagement:** Nature engages our senses in a rich and complex way. The sights, sounds, smells, and textures of the natural world provide a constant stream of stimuli that can be both calming and invigorating. This sensory input can reduce stress, improve focus, and evoke a sense of awe and wonder. * **Psychological Restoration:** Studies have shown that spending time in nature can reduce rumination, lower blood pressure, decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety, and improve mood. This "biophilia" hypothesis suggests an innate human tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. * **Spiritual and Existential Meaning:** For many, nature offers a sense of perspective and transcendence. Its vastness can make our personal problems seem smaller, and its cycles can provide a framework for understanding life, death, and renewal. This can lead to feelings of awe, gratitude, and a deeper sense of meaning. * **Sense of Place and Belonging:** Our connection to specific natural landscapes can foster a strong sense of identity and belonging. The places where we grew up or have spent significant time in nature often hold deep emotional significance and contribute to our personal narratives. * **Source of Inspiration and Creativity:** Artists, writers, musicians, and scientists have long drawn inspiration from the natural world. Its beauty, complexity, and raw power can spark new ideas and push the boundaries of human creativity.In essence, nature is our origin, our mirror, and our constant companion. Even as we build ever more artificial environments, the deep-seated need for connection to the natural world remains, influencing our well-being, our understanding of ourselves, and our place in the universe.

Researcher couple the Kaplans have a theory that our brains still resemble those of Stone Age people. This means we are designed for a life in nature. Sensory stimulation is central to garden therapy. The goal is to find pleasurable sensory impressions that trigger well-being, enjoyment, and peace and quiet. When you rediscover your senses in the garden, you also give new life to closed-off nerve pathways in your body.

In addition to sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch, gardening therapy also involves muscle and balance senses. These activities can help people regain their health and achieve a better balance in life.

What is your own favorite pastime in nature?

To bumble around my allotment like a bumblebee without too many plans. To do a bit here and a bit there and rest under a tree where no one else can see me. That does me a lot of good.