While the therapeutic benefits of Nature on human health are widely recognized, from bolstering the immune system to fostering inner tranquility, there are seldom any adverse effects associated with embracing Nature as our greatest care ally.
Meaningful moments outdoors have been shown to prevent loneliness, boost quality of life and well-being, and have numerous positive impacts on physiological, psychological, social, spiritual, economic, and environmental health, often simultaneously.
People of all ages who can access Nature without support spend less time interacting with the natural world than previous generations.
For older adults living in residential care communities, individuals living with dementia or mobility impairments, and those who live independently with in-home care and support, children and adolescents, accessing the outdoors and Nature can be challenging, primarily when their ability to do so depends on others. All ages need Nature, yet when accessing Nature is not a valued form of care, nature deprivation can become normalized.
When we are immersed in care tasks, the natural world is often as near as the other side of our window panes and often far from our sensory awareness or thoughts. The changing clouds, the way the trees move with the breeze, and the sounds of birds often go unnoticed.
Ecopsychologists contend that modern Western culture has created a lost sense of belonging and being in community with Nature that has contributed to nature disconnection and our slow response to the environmental crisis unfolding over the last several decades (Mayer & Franz, 2004).
Do you think of the natural world as a community to which you belong?
In Latin: Bio = Life, philia = Love.
Biophilia = Love of Life
In 1964, social psychologist Erich Fromm introduced biophilia as the passionate love of life and all that is alive. Biophilia, for Fromm, describes our psychological orientation of being attracted to life, to all that is alive and vital (Berget et al., 2010).
Two decades later, Edward Wilson, known as the father of biodiversity, a renowned biologist, naturalist, and writer, published what he referred to as his most personal work, Biophilia: The Human Bond with Other Species. Wilson describes biophilia as our innate and natural affinity for life. Biophilia bonds us to all other living species and is the very essence of our humanity.
In other words, we are Nature, yet many of us live apart from Nature.
Wilson later, with Stephen R. Kellert, published a collection of essays called The Biophilia Hypothesis. According to the Biophilia Hypothesis, we depend on Nature in a way that:
extends far beyond the simple issues of material and physical sustenance to encompass as well as the human craving for aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive, and even spiritual meaning and satisfaction (Barbiero et al., 2021).
Think for a moment about our neighbors, who no longer drive, who depend on their care partners, us, to bring them outdoors to access fresh air, sunlight, trees, birds, Nature.
What if we begin to value meaningful moments outdoors, as a form of care?
I learned invaluable teaching from a woman named June, whom I was sharing care with about five years ago. She lived with vascular dementia in a skilled nursing care community that did not utilize their outdoor spaces for care.
Our sessions were 90 minutes long, and my tools of meaningful engagement focused on musical movement, qigong, singing, play, and laughter yoga.
One day, I asked,
"Would you like to walk around the patio and look at all the blooming roses?'
Her eyes lit up with excitement.
'YES !' she replied eagerly."
Those moments, outdoors, engaging with the sights, smells, sounds, walking slow, noticing with our senses engaged forever transformed our time together into meaningful moments sharing care.
After our sessions, I would walk with her back to her room. She was always smiling and ready for a rest. I felt refreshed and invigorated and the garden, we both could feel its gratitude for our awareness.
June taught me how to slow down, to notice, and to know, this is care.
It can be easy to get caught in the doing of care, and there is an enormous power in the being of care.
Mindfulness, noticing nature with our senses engaged, breathing, smiling, and enjoying meaningful moments outdoors are key aspects of passive green care approaches.
Research Review
Canadian researchers investigating the link between nature connectedness, mindfulness, and wellbeing, found that individuals with higher levels of mindfulness experience a deeper connection with nature, leading to enhanced wellbeing.
Subsequent research has supported this link, demonstrating how mindfulness training can augment both nature connectedness and wellbeing, particularly during immersive nature experiences like nature walks and forest bathing.
A strong connection to Nature means feeling a close relationship or emotional attachment to our natural surroundings. Connectivity and a sense of belonging to Nature improve cognitive, sensory, and social development while increasing physical activity, positive emotions, and pro-nature behaviors.
Research has shown that people with high levels of nature connectedness are happier, less stressed, and report having more vitality and meaning in their lives.
Feeling connected to Nature generates positive emotions like calmness and creativity, facilitates focus and concentration, and lessens feelings of isolation and loneliness,
for all ages.
Imagine enjoying meaningful moments outdoors as a form of care.
Allow yourself to become aware of your breath.
As you breathe in,
be aware you are breathing in.
As you breathe out,
notice that you are breathing out.
Reflect for a moment on the influence of your interactions with Nature on your emotional wellbeing.
How do you feel when surrounded by Nature's Beauty?
Nature Connection Practice
Unearth the Five A's, a simple yet profound framework to help you optimize the therapeutic use of outdoor spaces.
AWARENESS
Immerse In Nature
Go Outdoors
Become aware of your breath.
Breathing in, I know I am breathing in.
Breathing out, I know I am breathing out.
Be fully present in the moment.
Notice the sights, smells, sounds, textures, and colors around you.
Gaze Deeply.
Allow yourself to fully engage with your surroundings
AWE
Feel Sensations of Boundless Wonderment
As you gaze deeply into your natural surroundings
Discover something you have not noticed before
Something that fills you with wonderment
Enjoy a few moments gazing into this delightful surprise
Allow yourself to be mesmerized by Nature's Beauty
APPRECIATION
Love and Deep Gratitude
As You Continue to Immerse Your Senses Outdoors
Allow yourself to dwell in the present moment
Appreciate the beauty of the world around you
Vocalize Three Things You Are Thankful
for that Nature Provides
ACTIVATES
Connection and Care
How do you feel witnessing Nature's Beauty?
Allow yourself to experience and appreciate
the emotions that Nature evokes within
ACTION
Caring In, For and With Nature
Enjoy a few moments and think about ways you can Nurture Care Outdoors
Allow yourself to be fully present and feel compassion
Caring for Nature = Caring for Ourselves
All Ages Need Nature
We Are Nature
References
Barbiero, G., & Berto, R. (2021). Biophilia as evolutionary adaptation: An onto-and phylogenetic framework for biophilic design. Frontiers in psychology, 12.
Berget, B., et al. (2010). Green care: A conceptual framework. A report of the working group on the health benefits of green care (No. 866). Loughborough University.
Howell, A. J., Dopko, R. L., Passmore, H. A., & Buro, K. (2011). Nature connectedness: Associations with well-being and mindfulness. Personality and individual differences,
51(2), 166-171.
Mayer, F. S., & Frantz, C. M. (2004). The connectedness to nature scale: A measure of individuals’ feeling in community with nature. Journal of environmental psychology, 24(4), 503-515.
Orr, N., Wagstaffe, A., Briscoe, S., & Garside, R. (2016). How do older people describe their sensory experiences of the natural world? A systematic review of the qualitative evidence. BMC geriatrics, 16(1), 1-16.
Richardson, M., et al. (2020). The green care code: How nature connectedness and simple activities help explain pro‐nature conservation behaviours. People and Nature, 2(3), 821-839.
Richardson, M. (2019). Beyond restoration: Considering emotion regulation in natural well-being. Ecopsychology, 11(2), 123–129.
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