FEEL MORE BALANCED WITH ECOTHERAPY, CBD & TIME OUTDOORS 

When I was a baby, my mom discovered that if she took me outside, my temper tantrum would magically disappear and she might even get me to fall asleep. To this day, if I’m having a bad day or feeling crunchy, I will take myself outside for some fresh air.  I never had a word for this until I discovered ecotherapy.  Ecotherapy is a growing form of therapeutic treatment that incorporates being outside and engaging with nature. 

It’s easy to forget how connected we really are to nature - from the air we breathe and the water we drink, to how nature impacts all our senses.  But a new wave of curiosity has inspired people to discover the holistic benefits of interacting with nature and utilizing natural plants like cannabis to relieve pain, lower stress, and improve rest.  So let’s take a moment to appreciate mother nature in honor of Earth Day (today and every day).  Because we all know, Momma knows best.

WHAT IS ECOTHERAPY?

Ecotherapy is rooted (pun 100% intended) in the idea that we are all connected to the earth and being more in tune with our natural ecosystems can help relieve stress, gain focus and ease anxiety. The term “Ecotherapy” comes from the ecopsychology movement sparked by historian Theodore Roszak in the 1990s.  Roszak was fascinated with the importance of reconnecting to nature and spent most of his research chronicling the baby boomer generation - he even coined the term “counterculture” as a reference to 1960s social movements that lead many to embrace more natural, holistic practices based on plant medicine.  The importance of being in tune with nature and the holistic properties of plant medicine is not new, but it has been somewhat lost in western society.  More and more people are turning back to nature to find balance in an increasingly industrialized world. Ecotherapy is even being prescribed/recommended to patients by therapists and doctors. I can’t help but wonder what our native predecessors would think if they heard that despite all our modern science and infrastructure we are still being told to go outside by our caregivers. 

WHY IS NATURE SO HEALING?

Living in a city or urban area can be overstimulating for our brains - leading to cognitive fatigue and overload.  Think about all the neon lights, traffic, and constant noise.  You’re probably so used to it, you may not even notice it on a regular basis. But all that stimulation is impacting your body.   In the book The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective, Rachel and Stephen Kaplan proposed the idea of attentional restoration theory (ART) and examined how natural environments help to “restore direct attention.” Basically, the theory covers how your brain needs nature for psychological restoration and recovery from the stress and mental fatigue caused by living in over-stimulating environments (aka cities).  

There are a growing number of studies that are finding connections between being outdoors and an elevated mood, decreased stress and anxiety - and even physical improvement, like better heart health.  One study done at Cornell University found that spending 10-50 minutes outside “was the most effective to improve mood, focus and physiological markers like blood pressure and heart rate.”  Students reported feeling less stressed and in a generally better mood after interacting with nature.  If you can’t get outside, just listening to nature sounds has been found to help ease your nervous system.  Nature-based healing is also being researched as a way to help treat people who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

JOINING THE “COUNTERCULTURE”

According to the 2010 Census, over 80% of the US population lives in urban areas, defined as a “continuously built-up area with a population of 50,000 or more.”  Living in a city or suburb, working more and more on our computers, and using our spare time to check email and TicTok means getting into nature often takes a backseat.  With so much of our lives shifting to being online, taking the time to be in nature, touch dirt, breathe clean air is the new counter-culture that’s becoming a lifeline for so many of us.  

There are many ways to start incorporating a little ecotherapy into your life - from taking walks or joining a professionally led nature group, to finding plant-based support for your body with cannabis and natural plant remedies.  The key is to consistently incorporate nature into your life in a way that is healing and nurturing. For example, I'm literally writing this blog outside on my porch. Why? Because it makes me feel more focused and calm than sitting inside - especially on such a beautiful day. 

GET BACK TO NATURE WITH THE HELP OF CBD 

Nature offers us relief from stress and anxiety.  Not only can you soak in holistic benefits from being outside, but also by adding a little more of nature’s green into your daily routine.  The cannabis plant is one amazing way nature can offer support and directly interact with your body to help ease pain and stress, and help you get better rest. 

Cannabis has two main cannabinoids, which we call Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) - otherwise known as THC and CBD respectively.  These cannabinoids are able to naturally interact with your Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Your endocannabinoid system helps regulate your response to stressors. Hey, slow down...wait a minute, what?  Yeah, so it turns out your body’s ECS system is what helps you manage stressful situations or events. For example, remember the first time you ever had to speak in front of the class?  That probably felt pretty stressful the first time, causing your body to release stress hormones like cortisol.  But the second time it happened, you were probably able to react to it a little bit better and not feel so stressed. By the 3rd, 4th, and 5th time you had to speak in front of a crowd your endocannabinoid system was able to recognize the stress factor and calibrate your body so you could react without going into fight or flight mode. There are endocannabinoid receptors located throughout your body - in your skin, organs, and brain.  CBD is like your endocannabinoid system’s BFF and supports your body by boosting serotonin release and protecting your anandamide endocannabinoids.  Both serotonin and anandamides are directly connected to feelings of happiness and bliss.  CBD works with your ECS to help you feel calmer and reduce anxiety without worrying about the “high” side effect associated with THC.

Natural whole plant CBD provides the full benefit of the plant, giving you the full power of a variety of terpenes. Terpenes are what make plants fragrant and carry their own therapeutic benefits. CBD paired with specific terpenes can enhance relaxation, or invigorate your creative senses, helping you feel more alert.  Look for products made with high-quality whole plant CBD that ensure you’re getting everything nature has to offer. ECO Therapy products are inspired by their deep respect and love of the natural powers of nature.  Their products give you the ability to take advantage of nature’s remedies by including CBD into your daily life, in doses that feel best to you. From their eco-friendly packaging to the pure ingredients and attention to detail, ECO Therapy supports you in your mission to get back to nature.  

WANT TO ADD A LIL’ ECOTHERAPY INTO YOUR LIFE? 

Take a Walk - One of the easiest ways to infuse your life with regular nature breaks is to take a walk. Have you ever been struggling to think through a problem and then you take a walk and suddenly a solution to your problem pops into your head? Or maybe you’ve been stuck in your feelings and needed to step outside to recenter yourself.  When you walk, endorphins are released and your blood flow increases, pumping fresh oxygen to your brain. The repetitive movement of walking can feel like a moving meditation. This allows your body to relax and your brain to wander, opening you up to new ideas. Even a 10-minute walk around the block can be enough to help recenter your mind and body.  Looking for a little more inspiration?  A Stanford study comparing the creativity of people when sitting vs. walking found that a “person's creative output increased by an average of 60 percent when walking.” 

Visit the Great Outdoors -  If you live in an area with access to national parks or beaches, start making a point to visit.  Hikes are not only a great way to commune with nature, but they’re also a wonderful source of physical exercise.

Pet an Animal - Yes, you read that correctly.  Petting and playing with animals is a real ecotherapy activity. Hanging out with animals has been shown to help release serotonin and help you manage stress. According to the University of California, Los Angeles, animal-assisted therapy has also been shown to help lower blood pressure and increase mental stimulation.  So even if your furry friend doesn’t have a certification, it’s okay to still consider them your therapy animal. 

Gardening - Digging into some dirt and spending time in the sun can help calm your mind.  Joining a community garden is a great way to bond with others outdoors if you live in a city. 

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? 

Close your laptop, phone, or whatever you’re reading this blog on, and go outside!  Take a deep breath. Enjoy some CBD. And get back to nature.