Skip to content

A Return To Nature – Now Referred To As ECO Therapy

Summer often means spending time outdoors, swimming, camping, taking walks, and just enjoying the great outdoors. These leisure activities are fun and good for you.

That's right. They're good for you!

ECO Nature Therapy Is Good For The Soul

Psychologists in the new field of Eco-Therapy believe that spending time outdoors is important for our health. Connecting more with nature can help improve depression, lower blood pressure, improve self-esteem, help with impulse control, decrease post-operative recovery time, and encourage new social behaviors in patients with dementia, according to ecotherapyheals.com and the book Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind.

Eco-therapists claim that eco-therapy can be especially beneficial for those with depression, anxiety, stress or other mental illnesses. Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder, and the incidence of depression has increased every year during the past century. Now, one in six people will experience a depressive episode in their lifetime.

Traditional treatment for depression has focused on medications and individual or group therapy.

Now, Eco-therapists suggest that benefit can be gained with activities such as gardening, walking or other outdoor exercise, or spending time with animals.…

A new study reveals a significant association between gardening more frequently and improvements in wellbeing, perceived stress and physical activity.

The study from Britain’s Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) surveyed more than 6,000 people, and results indicate that those who garden every day have wellbeing scores 6.6% higher and stress levels 4.2% lower than people who don’t garden at all.

Joys Of Gardening We All Can Experience -
Good For Our Health

RHS Wellbeing Fellow and lead author, Dr Lauriane Chalmin-Pui says; “This is the first time the ‘dose response’ to gardening has been tested and the evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the more frequently you garden—the greater the health benefits.

“In fact gardening every day has the same positive impact on wellbeing as undertaking regular vigorous exercise like cycling or running.

“When gardening, our brains are pleasantly distracted by nature around us. This shifts our focus away from ourselves and our stresses, thereby restoring our minds and reducing negative feelings.”

Respondents who gardened 2-3 times a week had a 4.1% higher wellbeing score and 2.4% lower stress levels compared to people who don’t garden at all. However, gardening fewer than 3 times a month has less of a positive impact.…

THIS IS A REALLY GOOD FIND. I HAVE HERE, 6 SIMPLE THINGS WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE OUR MOOD LEVELS FROM DIFFERENT STATES WE FIND OURELVES IN. SOME FITNESS INSTRUCTORS'S ADVICE AND EQUIPMENT ARE ACTUALLY BAD FOR US, ACCORDING TO DR JESSE LYNN HANLEY WHO WORKS ALONGSIDE OF VARIOUS SPECIALISTS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS LIKE PYSIOTHERAPISTS, CHIROPRACTORS AND OSTEOPATHS HAVE REPORTED. YOU WON'T NEED A GYM OR MEMBERHIP FOR THESE EXCELLENT SOLUTIONS/NIFTY IDEAS. ENJOY!

Workouts to Improve Your Mood

By Jessica Smith 2018

By nature, humans are moody creatures. And as much as we'd love to feel good and be happy all the time, it's not always possible. Sometimes we're distracted, sad, exhausted, anxious or stressed out. But luckily, there's a solution when you get a case of the feels: We consulted fitness experts to find workouts that are best suited for whatever mood you might be in and how they can help you get out of it!

Anxious? Try Walking

Filled with nervous or anxious energy? Take a walk! “If you have a lot of nervous energy, a great way to deal with it is by, quite literally, walking it off,” says Walters.…

By Natalie: A Mum and registered Dietitian with a Passion to help Parents Create a Home Environment where they can Raise Healthy Kids!

Lots Of Ideas For Children's Play Outdoors.
See What You Find!

When the weather is nice, it should be easy to get your kids to go outside to play. Right? But kids can be surprisingly reluctant to skip out the door for playtime. It hasn’t always been like this!

Many kids in the upcoming generation are replacing outdoor play with indoor, sedentary activities like iPad games, texting, or social media. They’re also more involved in knowledge-based downtime like homework and studying than kids from past generations.

How Do Kids Benefit From Outdoor Play?

Studies have shown that kids who spend more time outside might be happier and more relaxed. Time outdoors can even improve short-term memory, concentration and cognitive skills. (It’s almost like nature makes us smarter… amazing!)

It’s Up to Us To Facilitate Outdoor Play

There’s a REAL need for active, outdoor play. Now more than ever. The more outdoor activities you can encourage and facilitate for your kids, the more they’ll reap the physical and emotional benefits of such play.…

From TheNewDaily.Com.Au May 3, 2021

Everyone Loves Butterflies, hey?

A kaleidoscope of colour has enveloped parts of north Queensland as the region revels in a butterfly boom. The explosion in numbers has caught the eye of scientists encouraged by the increase.

It flies in the face of fears in recent years that the iconic Ulysses butterfly may be dying out.

The Joy Of Finding Butterflies In My Garden

Thankyou he caught my eye this morning, I must say last week or so I'm definitely getting more butterflies in the garden, which is nice.

“One of the species we are seeing a large increase in numbers is the Ulysses,” said James Cook University senior botanist at the Queensland Herbarium, Ashley Field.

“A couple of years ago people were starting to become concerned that their numbers were down but their numbers are definitely up.”

The Cassowary Coast, Cairns, and the Tablelands are teeming with the beautiful insects with prime weather conditions behind the boom.

Dr Field said consecutive years with reasonable wet seasons had created an ideal environment for butterfly-attracting plants to thrive.

“It’s a Goldilocks effect. It’s the middle ground,” he said.

2

I FOUND SOME GOOD FAMILY RELATED MATERIAL ON THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT WEBSITE THAT'S REALLY GREAT. I'VE BEEN RESEARCHING NATURE A LOT - OUR NEED FOR REGULAR EXPOSURE TO IT SOME WAY/WAYS THROUGH THE WEEK.

Children Love To Learn How To Grow Plants - Why Not Let Them Try? You May Be Surprised!

IN MY PRETEENS, I WAS FASCINATED BY PEAS AND BEANS EMMERGING THROUGH THE SOIL, WHEN MY MUM WAS TENDING HER VEGGIE GARDEN AND WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE A FEW PLANTS OF MY OWN TO GROW. MY FEELINGS ABOUT THIS WERE NOT VOICED UNTIL I MENTIONED IT TO HER LATER IN LIFE (MY 40'S OR 50'S).

IN RESPONSE, SHE SAID "Oh Janet, you never said anything about it. I would have been happy to share some with you - I didn't think you were interested." I WAS ACTUALLY INTRIGUED. IT'S A GREAT INTEREST FOR KIDS OF DIFFERENT AGES, FROM LITTLE TO TEENS and A GOOD CONTRAST TO THEIR TECH INTERESTS - HELPING TO PROVIDE A BALANCE FOR THEM, HEY? AND HEALTH BENEFITS TO BE GAINED TOO, A WIN WIN!

The Government Says:

People of all ages can enjoy gardening, but children in particular will have lots of fun and gain special benefits. …

By Uzma Muneer, D.O.

I WAS BROUGHT UP IN A COUNTRY TOWNSHIP NOT FAR FROM THE BEACH AND PLAYED OUTSIDE A LOT. MANY KIDS ARE BROUGHT UP HAVING CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE SOIL BECAUSE THEIR FAMILY HAS A VEGGIE GARDEN OR THEY LIVE ON A FARM. HEALTH SCIENTISTS ARE SAYING THIS GIVES CHILDREN A GOOD HEALTHY START IN LIFE AND BENEFITS THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM. THEY’RE ALSO SAYING THAT KEEPING YOUR CHILDREN AND HOUSE SO CLEAN AND OVERUSE OF DISINFECTANTS IS NOT GOOD FOR THEIR HEALTH.

Are You Overly Careful How Your Kids Play?

Some Thoughtful Considerations.

Dr. Muneer specializes in Pediatrics, lets see what she has to say.

Picture this: A baby’s pacifier falls to the ground. A first-time mom sterilizes it thoroughly before giving it back. With her second baby, she quickly runs it under some water first. By her third child, the mom brushes it off and pops it right back into her baby’s mouth. Was her third child any worse for the wear?

We spend a lot of time and energy protecting our babies and kids from germs. But some germs could actually help protect them.

Our health is influenced by all the microorganisms inside our bodies and the surrounding environment.…

By Virgilio Marin

I LIKE THIS STORY, IT SPEAKS ABOUT MORE THINGS THAN YOU WOULD EXPECT. THE VISIONARY CONCEPTS HERE ARE REALLY INSPIRING.........YOU SHOULD READ ABOUT HOW THEY IMPLIMENTED THINGS. THEY DIDN'T JUST GIVE PEOPLE A BOX OF SMALL SEEDLINGS. AND YOU SHOULD READ ABOUT WHAT THEY DO WITH FRUIT TREES. YES, THE PEOPLE WHO RUN THIS CO-OP ARE GENEROUS KIND VISIONARIES. WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS KIND OF THING WIDESPREAD - MAYBE IN SOME COMMUNITIES IN AUSTRALIA. WELL DONE!

Cooperation Humboldt, a transition initiative in Humboldt County in California, is providing mini-gardens for free to help communities in the state’s North Coast become self-sufficient and achieve food independence.

The organization initially provided free lawn conversions but decided to shift its focus later on. Tamara McFarland, a leader within the cooperation, was concerned that the lawn conversion project failed to reach individuals who would benefit the most from growing their own food. Most of the people applying for lawn conversions were long-term renters and homeowners with a stable income and the privilege of starting a backyard garden.

When the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit, the organization became even more motivated to move away from its lawn-conversion model, which required a number of volunteers working side-by-side for long stretches of time.…

From Brightside.Me

THIS IS A TOO GOOD TO MISS ARTICLE THAT MOST OF US HAVE FOR SOME REASON. THIS IS A POSITIVE DISCOVERY THAT BENEFITS EVERYONE AND IS A VITAL OVERLOOKED ASPECT OF OUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL FITNESS BECAUSE MOST OF US WEREN'T AWARE OF IT BEFORE - NOW DISCOVERED BY HEALTH SCIENTISTS FOR OUR BENEFIT, GIVING US MORE GOOD REASONS TO GO FOR WALKS EACH DAY OR WEEK, AND ALSO SHEDS LIGHT ON WHY WALKING UP STEPS PROVES BENEFICIAL. IT'S A FITNESS THING SOME PEOPLE ENGAGE IN, IT SO TURNS OUT, IS GOOD FOR US NEUROLOGICALLY. WOULDN'T IT BE GOOD TO FIND OUT WHY WALKING BENEFITS MORE THAN OUR HEART WHEN WE ARE GETTING UP IN YEARS TOO? LETS CALL IT A GOOD FORM OF PRACTICLE HEALTH INSURANCE WE ALL CAN AFFORD.

Running is one of the most popular sports worldwide, statistics say. And weight concerns are usually the main reason people practice it. However, it poses another big bonus: leg exercises have a great effect on our brain health too.

We at Bright Side consider scientific discoveries vital and even practical for our everyday lives, so here are some proven reasons to start exercising right away.

It Slows Down Brain Aging.

Research has shown that people who are unable to actively use their legs, like bed-ridden hospital patients or even astronauts on extended travel, have altered body chemistry.…

THEY SAY AMERICANS LIKE TO DO THINGS IN A BIG WAY, AYE? WELL YOU MUST READ ABOUT WHAT THIS STRAWBERRY FARMER IN WISCONSIN DID LAST YEAR WHEN PEOPLE COULDN'T GO OUT MUCH DURING THE PANDEMIC. IT BROUGHT SMILES TO EVERYONE'S FACES - EVEN THOSE WHO WERE TOO FAR TO COME. I'VE OFTEN SAID PLACES ARE FROM A TO B IN ADELAIDE, A TO G IN OTHER STATES, AND A TO Z IN AMERICA. THIS DID NOT STOP PEOPLE TRAVELLING FROM MANY CITIES NEAR AND FAR. SOME FOLK HAVE A WAY OF "CHEERING PEOPLE UP" AND THIS STRAWBERRY FARMER IS ONE OF THEM - WHAT A NICE THING TO DO, SUCH A KIND GESTURE!

'Everyone Is So Happy'

Scott Thompson wakes up each day to a field decorated with more than two million blooming sunflowers.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with a dark cloud looming over the world, the Wisconsin farmer decided it was time to breathe joy into 2020.

So, he planted millions of the vibrant yellow flowers on his strawberry fields.

"As the season went on, the pandemic never went anywhere ... and we thought people might be looking for something to do, and what a great way to social distance and ...…