ECOTHERAPY

One major difference between our current lifestyle and those of our evolutionary past is an increasing distance from natural settings with increased urbanisation. This change has a major impact on our mental health. Historically, a remedy for ill health or low spirits, if the means were available, would be to send someone to the quiet of the country or seashore and away from the bustle of the city. In HK this is something we specialise in at our beautiful Lantau location. Growing up in a rural setting correlates with a less acute stress response, and exposure to the green great outdoors significantly correlates to a positive effect on well-being. Images and sounds of a natural environment can decrease stress in people exposed to negative stimuli. There is a significant correlation between the availability of nature and lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. There are many studies showing a similar relationship between nature exposure, relaxation, and well-being.  Taking a nature walk has shown to result in decreased anxiety, rumination, and negative feelings, and even increased performance on cognitive tests compared to a walk along a busy street. Nature walkers have reduced activity in a particular brain region, the subgenual prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain is associated with rumination, or worrying on the same issues over and over, a problem described often in depressive and anxiety disorders. So in a world and environment where our brains are working overtime and we think and roll over ideas and worry, exposure to nature seems to get us out of our heads, with likely positive longitudinal benefits.  We are offering hikes and runs in nature and work with two Ecotherapists hosting events and private sessions.