Category: Mental Health Care

Enjoy the health and well-being benefits of connecting with nature in every season.

Spring

As the days grow longer and warmer, this is a good time to get outside more.

*  Notice the songs of birds that return from their annual migration.

*  Feel the soft, green leaves of plants and trees around you.

*  See the bright new flowers in urban parks and in your own potted plants.

*  Visit a park or go into your backyard to draw. Find a spot to sit and notice something that catches your eye: a leaf, rock, tree, etc. Draw every detail you see. Don’t worry about how good it is. The idea is to focus your attention and notice more of what you are looking at.

Summer

It’s the season of sunshine and full growth to get a good ‘dose’ of nature.

*  Hear grasshoppers, crickets, and frogs sing their songs.

*  See fireflies light up on the warm summer nights.

*  Smell the scent of freshly cut grass and fragrant flowers.

*  Grow or pick your own food. Herbs are probably the easiest produce to grow, especially in pots. Learn about local community gardens, including urban and roof-top gardens. Visit local farmers’ markets or go berry-picking for the freshest produce.

Fall

As temperatures get cooler, nature’s wonderful change of season is on full display.

*  See the trees’ amazing display of colors as they prepare for winter. Notice which leaves are more orange, red, or yellow in color.

*  Plant a tree. Volunteer for conservation work by contacting your local parks and recreation department.

*  Notice squirrels running with their mouths packed with nuts to store for the winter.

*  Gaze at the moon and enjoy a starry sky. Watch how the shape of the moon changes during the month. Some well-known constellations become visible in the fall, like the Big Dipper.

Winter

Despite colder temperatures and shorter days, there are magical moments to experience.

*  Hear the crunch of snow or frozen ground as you walk in a park or take a hike.

*  Taste pine needle tea. Simply rinse and add pine needles to hot water and let them infuse for a few minutes.

*  Set up a bird feeder in your backyard and observe how different species of birds behave as they feed.

*  Bring nature inside. Try diffusing essential oils like pine or lavender. Play soothing nature sounds like ocean waves, bird songs, or rustling leaves. You could even print and frame some photos of beautiful natural places you have visited or watch a nature documentary.

Use of face-to-face discussions to define and resolve personal problems. Types include:

*  Behavior Modification – Uses techniques, such as relaxation training, biofeedback, positive reinforcement, punishment, and altering triggers to teach new substitute behaviors. The emphasis is on altering outward behavior rather than the resolution of early childhood events.

*  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – A therapist helps a person identify unhealthy patterns of thought and how they may be causing self-destructive beliefs and behaviors. The person and therapist work together to develop constructive ways of thinking that will produce healthier behaviors and beliefs.

*  Hypnotherapy – A state of heightened suggestibility that allows the client to tune out unimportant information and focus only on what the hypnotherapist is saying. The client then is given suggestions to change personal behavior, i.e., lose weight, manage stress, or overcome fears.

*  Drug Therapy – Uses medicines, such as antidepressants and tranquilizers to help correct chemical imbalances, mood, and/or thinking disorders. Drug therapy is often used in conjunction with other treatment approaches.

*  Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) – Low “doses” of electrical energy currents are delivered to a patient’s brain. ECT is used only for certain extreme conditions, such as chronic depression or aggression that has not responded to other treatment methods.

Focus on nature’s beauty, peacefulness, and soothing sounds.

*  Go on a nature hike with a family member, friend, or coworker.

*  In your backyard, cuddle up with a good book on a chair or in a hammock.

*  Picnic in the park with family and friends. Enjoy your workday lunch in a park.

*  Take up a nature-based hobby, such as bird watching or nature photography.

Boost your happiness level by taking care of your body.

*  Get 7-8 hours of sleep a night.

*  Exercise every day with activities you enjoy.

*  Limit refined carbohydrates like white starchy foods (white bread, rice, and crackers) and sugar (soda, candy, and junk foods). These foods can cause blood sugar spikes and drops, causing a short-lived burst of energy followed by a tired, cranky feeling.

*  Take a 10-15 minute walk to clear your mind and enjoy your surroundings.

Playtime isn’t just for kids. Adults should take time out to just have fun too. Play can help improve your creativity, problem-solving, and emotional well-being. Chess anyone?

People indulge their creativity in so many ways – through music, art, dance, writing, etc. No matter the medium, creative expression helps to uncover the joy deep in our souls. When used as a therapy, creative arts can also lead to health benefits, such as:

*  Helping you recover from disease, injury and psychological trauma faster

*  Assisting in reducing stress and anxiety

*  Improving memory and helping you focus your attention better

*  Helping to fight infection and ease pain