ART and Nature Therapy in the Quest to Improve PTSD
Discover a universe of deep calm and focus on the Wombat app
Humans have spent nearly all of their existence living in natural environments. It's not surprising, then, that we seek out nature when we want to find peace or escape the stress of everyday life. Environmental psychology, a branch of psychology that studies the relationship between people and their environment, has found that spending time in nature can be beneficial for our ability to focus and concentrate.
What is Attention Restoration Theory?
This idea is known as Attention Restoration Theory (ART), which suggests that nature provides an opportunity to "be away" from daily stressors, encounter expansive spaces and situations, engage in activities that align with our inner drives, and experience "softly interesting" stimuli. These elements work together to facilitate the restoration of our attention skills and improve our overall well-being.
The four stages of ART
Decades of research by the Kaplans have led to the conclusion that there are four stages, or elements, that are necessary for achieving a complete state of restoration. These stages, which they refer to as states of attention, are:
1. Clearing the mind: This stage involves letting go of thoughts that require a lot of attention, such as worries about work or school, and allowing the mind to flow without holding onto them.
2. Recovery from mental fatigue: The restoration process begins in this stage, where the individual allows themselves to rest and restore the attention that was previously given to different thoughts and actions.
3. Interest or soft fascination: In this stage, the individual engages in a simple, low-stimulating activity that provides a safe and quiet internal space for relaxation.
4. Restoration and reflection: After the first three stages, the individual enters a state of deep relaxation where they are able to restore their attention. The reflection aspect of this stage allows them to look back on their life, consider their actions, priorities, and goals, and often motivates them to take positive steps forward in their life.
Attention Restoration Theory and nature therapy
The Kaplans’ research and work have proven themselves to be very useful and valid. After this process of completely shutting down from the rest of the world and focusing on our inner selves, it is much easier to let go and rejuvenate and get the energy and concentration needed to get back to work, studying, or just everyday tasks we need to complete. As our lives continue to move at a fast pace that doesn’t seem to be slowing down and we spend more and more time indoors, interest in this topic has grown. As a result, throughout the years we have created nature therapy, also known as ecotherapy.
Nature therapy is the concept of using nature to help us improve our mental health and even heal psychological wounds. If we delve a little further, we can say that the goal of nature therapy is to induce a state of psychological relaxation. This definition clearly shows the similarities between nature therapy and Kaplans’ concept of restoration and suggests that nature therapy draws from Kaplan’s concept.
What are the different forms of nature therapy?
Nature therapy can take many forms, depending on personal preference and individual needs. These activities may go by different names, but the goal remains the same. Some examples of nature therapy include:
• Shinrin-yoku, which is a Japanese term meaning "forest therapy," and involves doing activities in a forest environment away from urban cities.
• Park prescriptions, which involve spending time in parks, through activities such as walking, cycling, and rollerblading.
• Therapeutic gardening or farming, which involves growing and caring for plants, from flowers to fruits and vegetables.
• Dark nature, which includes activities done at night such as camping and stargazing.
• Green exercise, which is any activity that is done outdoors, such as walking, running, yoga, meditation, and cycling.
How does nature therapy relate to PTSD?
It is known that PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) affects various parts of our body and can result in a wide range of symptoms such as nightmares, intense anxiety, flashbacks, and uncontrolled thoughts about a traumatic event. Nature and outdoor activities have been shown to relieve stress and aid in relaxation. People with PTSD tend to have a fight-or-flight reaction, and nature therapy can help them release and let go, leading to inner peace and freedom that may be difficult to achieve otherwise. In addition to that, nature has been found to improve memory, focus, and attention, which are all areas that can be impacted by PTSD.
Research has been conducted on how nature therapy has affected veterans with PTSD. Several studies (Duvall and Kaplan, 2013; Gelkopf et al., 2013; Hyer et al., 1996) show that there was a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms and depression, an improvement in functioning, hope, and sense of control over PTSD symptoms. Additionally, many veterans found that being in a group environment led to a sense of belonging and broke down the stigmatization around PTSD, helping them to feel less isolated.
It is important to note that while nature therapy can have many benefits, it is not a standalone solution for healing trauma or other issues. It should be used in conjunction with the appropriate therapy or treatment for each individual, but it can make the healing journey easier and more enjoyable.
Discover a universe of deep calm and focus on the Wombat app
Related articles
-
Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The experience of nature: A psychological perspective. Cambridge University Press.
van den Berg, A. E., Koole, S. L., & Vugt, M. van (2015). The psychological benefits of nature: How green spaces improve health and well-being. The Routledge handbook of environment and communication. Routledge.
Berman, M. G., Kross, E., Krpan, K. M., Askren, M. K., Burson, A., Deldin, P. J., ... & Jonides, J. (2012). Interacting with nature improves cognition and affect for individuals with depression. Journal of affective disorders, 140(3), 300-305.
Li, Q. (2018). The effects of nature on human health and well-being. Journal of environmental research and public health, 15(8), 1402.
Taylor, A. F., Kuo, F. E., & Sullivan, W. C. (2001). Coping with ADD: the surprising connection to green play settings. Environment and behavior, 33(1), 54-77.
Hartig, T., Mitchell, R., de Vries, S., & Frumkin, H. (2014). Nature and health. Annual review of public health, 35, 207-228.
Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Murphy, S. A. (2011). The nature relatedness scale: linking individuals’ connection to nature to environmental concern and behavior. Environment and behavior, 43(5), 717-740.
Hansen, C., & Hansen, R. D. (1988). Finding the fit between environment and mood. Environment and behavior, 20(1), 3-28.
Brown, D., & Perkins, D. (1992). Restorative benefits of natural environments. In Environment, cognition, and action (pp. 113-134). Springer, Boston, MA.
Ulrich, R. S. (1983). Aesthetic and affective response to natural environment. In Behavior and the natural environment (pp. 85-125). Plenum Press.
-
This articles does not constitute medical or mental health advice. These practices are not for everyone and are not a substitute for ongoing healthcare from a medical or mental health professional. Please seek medical advice if you have any concerns about your health.