June 2026: Ecotherapy

John Muir was so right when he said that. Today, many people spend most of their time indoors. More than half of the world’s population lives in cities and spends around 90% of their time inside. This is a big change because our brains evolved to thrive in natural environments. As a result, we might feel more stressed or unhappy. That’s where green exercise and ecotherapy come in, two methods that use nature to help our mental health.

Green exercise means engaging in physical activity in natural settings, such as jogging in a park, biking along a river, or practicing yoga on the grass. Studies show that even just five minutes of green exercise can really boost your mood and self-esteem. Being active outdoors is much more effective for mental health than exercising indoors. In fact, the benefits of green exercise are about twice as strong as those from indoor workouts. 

Nature helps us relax by gently capturing our attention, allowing our stressed minds to take a break. Plus, trees release special compounds called phytoncides into the air, which can lower stress hormones like cortisol and help our immune systems work better. 

Ecotherapy is a term that covers various therapeutic practices focused on nature. One popular type of ecotherapy is called Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku, which started in Japan in the 1980s. This practice involves spending time in the woods slowly and mindfully. Research from the last four decades shows that it can lower blood pressure, decrease stress hormones, and improve your mood. 

In short, getting outside and enjoying nature can be a powerful way to feel better physically and mentally!