How To Kill Bad Moods with Eco-Therapy

According to The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, antidepressants should not be used as first-line therapy for mild to moderate depression. What do they recommend in its place?

Eco-therapy: getting outdoors and getting active in a green environment.

Example: After conducting a study of 20 people, comparing a walk in a country park with a walk in a shopping centre, the University of Essex concluded that a walk in the country is much more effective in reducing depression. While walking in general reduced depression, the shopping center atmosphere increased tension and decreased self-esteem in individuals. In a survey of 108 people who commonly take part in “green” activities, 90% said it was the combination of nature and exercise that had the greatest effect on them.

Some facilities don’t have the resources to provide correct counseling, and instead either send patients home with drugs or empty-handed. Unless your depression is severe or you can afford a facility with real counseling practices, you may want to try easing depression and/or stress your own way: go somewhere that’s been proven relaxing in your past, or find a serene park or trail that you can visit when you need to feel better. While eco-therapy has been proven in some severe cases, it can be used on people who are generally happy but are struck by a bad mood or are facing unhappy circumstances.

Another study cites eco-therapy a possible treatment for ADHD in children.

(Source: BBC News, Antidepressant Prescribing Soars)

For more eco-advice from RTM, visit our Earth Tones section.

 

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