Green Therapy

I read an article on green therapy the other day. After reading it, I realized that I use green therapy all the time when I am working, I just didn't know it. We use lots of therapeutic approaches with individuals with cognitive disabilities - counseling, physical therapy, music therapy, massage, art therapy, occupational therapy. These are very helpful strategies toward meeting people's needs.

Basically, green therapy is about improving mental health and well-being by going outdoors. Easy to do and free as an added bonus. All it entails is stepping outside. 

I suppose I take it for granted, but green therapy is a necessary element in my own life. A change from indoors to outdoors always changes my state of mind. I have seen it be effective with the individuals I work with, too. The other day while I was at one of the group homes, one of the ladies who can't talk was very unhappy. She also can't sign or use photos to express herself. I spoke soothingly to her and tried to figure out what was wrong by process of elimination - drink? bathroom? reposition in her wheelchair? back rub? bored? discomfort? I couldn't figure it out and she continued to cry.  I brought her outdoors and she immediately stopped crying. I walked with her for a little while. Since she couldn't tell me what she wanted to do, I eventually stopped under a shady tree. The breeze was blowing so we could listen to the leaves gently rustle while the grass around us moved in waves. She remained quiet for the whole time and then for a good while afterward, even when we went back indoors.

My guess is that when she was crying and seemingly inconsolable, she wasn't trying to communicate that she wanted to go outdoors. But going outdoors helped her in whatever it was that was distressing her. It is a proven therapy that works for all of us if we let it. If you (or the person you are working with) are feeling blue, or anxious, or unsettled, nature is restorative and works almost immediately.