RESEARCH

Ecotherapy – A Forgotten Ecosystem Service: A Review

This review demonstrates that ecotherapy significantly improves physical and mental health by reducing stress, enhancing recovery times, and addressing conditions like PTSD, ADHD, and dementia through nature-based activities. It emphasizes the need to preserve natural ecosystems as a critical resource for human well-being while advocating for broader integration of ecotherapy into healthcare practices.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Older Adults/Seniors, Children/Youth, Dementia/Traumatic & Acquired Brain Injuries, Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, Military/Veterans

Setting or Context: Assisted Living/Long-Term Care Homes, Schools/Educational Settings, Hospitals/Clinics, Rehabilitation Centers, Natural Areas/Parks/Forest

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Greater Sense of Purpose, Increased Sense of Belonging (Reduced Isolation), Sensory Stimulation, Increased Social Engagement & Skills

Allied Profession Intersections: Recreational Therapy, Behavioral Therapy, Landscape Design, Forest/Ecotherapy

Type of Activity: Sensory Stimulation, Indoor Plant Care, Outdoor Gardening, Forest/Natural Area Immersion, Mindfulness/Visualizations

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Qualitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes

Access: Free

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Summary

This paper reviews the concept of ecotherapy, which refers to the therapeutic benefits of interacting with nature, and highlights its role as an overlooked ecosystem service. The authors explore how activities like gardening, walking in green spaces, and wilderness therapy can improve physical and mental health by reducing stress, enhancing mood, and aiding recovery from illnesses. For example, studies show that patients recovering from surgery experience faster healing and less pain when exposed to natural views or indoor plants. Similarly, ecotherapy has been effective in addressing conditions like PTSD, ADHD, dementia, and obesity by promoting relaxation, improving attention, and encouraging physical activity. The paper emphasizes that reconnecting with nature is essential for well-being and argues that modern lifestyles have distanced people from this vital resource.

The review also discusses how ecotherapy supports developmental aspects like creativity, cognition, and emotional resilience in children and adults. It highlights the broader societal benefits of integrating nature-based interventions into healthcare and urban planning to improve community health. Despite strong evidence for ecotherapy’s benefits, the authors note that it remains undervalued in environmental and healthcare policies. They call for greater recognition of this ecosystem service and advocate for preserving natural spaces to ensure access to these therapeutic benefits.