Deepen the Connection
On Nature's restorative power
Healing isn’t confined to 1-1 sessions in the park. I am sharing some resources—research, articles and books—which I have found helpful and interesting in developing a deeper understanding of nature’s restorative power and how it can be a powerful way to reconnect and find meaning with lost parts of ourselves.
"The land knows you, even when you are lost"
Robin Wall Kimmerer
Research on Nature's restorative power
Here is a small selection of relevant research on the impact of nature on mental health and wellbeing
Moments, not minutes: The nature-wellbeing relationship.
Richardson, M., Passmore, H. A., Lumber, R., Thomas, S.R. and Hunt, A. (2021) International Journal of Wellbeing, 11(1), 8-33.
Moments of nature connectedness, or tuning into nature, and engaging with nature through simple activities are significantly related to happiness, feeling that life is worthwhile and lower rates of ill being.
Noticing Nature: The first report in the Everyone Needs Nature series.
National Trust. (2020)
Four key benefits of being prompted to ‘notice nature’ included feeling more mindful and able to slow down the pace of life, feeling liberated and free, feeling a sense of achievement or self-worth, and having experiences that brought a sense of togetherness and memories.
Nature activities and wellbeing in children and young people; a systematic review.
Robert, A., Hinds, J. & Carnic, P. M. (2019) Journal of Adventure education and OUtdoor learning
Nature activities are also associated with a variety of wellbeing outcomes in adolescence, including self esteem & confidence, stress reduction, social benefits and resilience.
The magic of the mundane: The vulnerable web of connections between urban nature and wellbeing.
Dobson, J., Birch, J., Brindley, P. et al. (2021) Cities, 108.
Nature activities are also associated with a variety of wellbeing outcomes in adolescence, including self esteem & confidence, stress reduction, social benefits and resilience.
Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health
Robbins, J. Yale Environment 360, 9 january 2020
How the growing body of research supporting the beneficial impacts on health of nature is being considered by policymakers, employers and healthcare providers.
Books on Nature's restorative power
Braiding Sweetgrass for young adults
Nature in Mind
Unearthed
by Robin Wall Kimmerer
by Roger Duncan
by Claire Ratinon
Bringing together botany, indigenous teaching and experience, and the wisdom of the natural world to understand the generosity of the earth and heal our relationship with her.
Looking at the development of ideas in ecopsychology and systemic psychotherapy and arguing the case for bringing nature based work into education and therapy practice.
A deeply personal story of finding belonging through falling in love with plants. "A heartfelt call to reconsider our history, the way we think about nature and the complex relationships we all have with the land."