Ecotherapy in the times of Covid 19

KCCW is a queer affirmative multidisciplinary, holistic & wellbeing-focused Mental Health organization offering Counselling, Psychotherapy, Psychological Assessments, Internships, Workshops & other clinically effective facilities that are tailor-made to suit personal needs. Our training & internships are specially curated for Psychology aspirants to aid their journey in becoming effective Mental Health professionals. We are experts in the field of Clinical, Counselling, Child & Industrial/Organisational Psychology, experienced in dealing with a variety of issues that are faced by individuals, couples & families. Visit us at: www.karmacare.in Or get in touch at: • admin@karmacare.in • +91 11 26155266/ +91 9821477730 or • F7/7, First Floor, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi

Based on the principles of Ecopsychological philosophy, which posits that disconnection from our natural surroundings forms the basis of various mental health conditions, ecotherapy has emerged as a set of interventions that aim to improve psychological functioning through the use of greenspace. Especially with all the repercussions Covid-19 has brought in, it has also delivered unusual environmental benefits such as cleaner air, lower carbon emissions, and a respite for wildlife.
Modern-day living is a multifaceted collection of everevolving technology & social media, wherein a constant indulgence with gadgets leads us into a sensory overload mode. Furthermore, with the ongoing crisis, the pandemic now poses at us, we are finding ourselves dependent on technology & virtual aids more than ever. In such a scenario, where overstimulation has become the norm & breathing clean air a privilege, reality often seems dull & boring, causing our mental health to pay the price. A simple remedy to this 21st century epidemic of overstimulation & deteriorating mental health exists all around us. Based on the principles of Eco-psychological philosophy, which posits that disconnection from our natural surroundings forms the basis of various mental health conditions, ecotherapy has emerged as a set of interventions that aim to improve psychological functioning through the use of greenspace. Especially with all the repercussions Covid-19 has brought in, it has also delivered unusual environmental benefits such as cleaner air, lower carbon emissions, and a respite for wildlife. More so, during the coronavirus lockdown, people have started finding their refuge in nature. They’ve developed their own versions of ecotherapy and practicing it frequently in varied ways, such as by riding bikes, gardening, walking, nature writing, and horticulture.

The benefits of nature are innumerable. Even research has demonstrated that there is a kernel of truth to the popular cultural refrain that going to a park can help overcome blues & stress. Interaction with green spaces is associated with improved concentration & reduction in anxiety (Chalquist, 2007; Newton, 2007). Credible research has indicated that patients who had a view of nature from their window recovered faster from gall bladder surgery (Summers & Vivian, 2018). Incorporating ecotherapeutic techniques such as animal-assisted therapy, horticulture & nature-oriented guided imagery to your treatment plan can prove beneficial to the outcome of therapy. The basic idea is that the power of nature places the individual amidst something much bigger than them, causing them to become more connected & aware of their surroundings & question their existence beyond themselves. Moreover, our engagement with the environment causes no side effects such as restlessness, loss of appetite & dizziness which are common results of psychiatric drugs. It has been found that noticing nature is related to pro-environmental behaviour, feelings of kinship, and healing; also for those who are dealing with loss and loneliness or anxieties of this global pandemic. However, it would be remiss to claim that eco-therapy can be a stay-alone strategy of managing our mental health. Some individuals would continue to need more conventional evidence-based treatment/ management. For these individuals, eco-therapy can become a refreshing supplement. Taking into consideration the importance & value of this therapeutic approach, Karma Lakelands provides the perfect location for the practice of eco-therapy under the guidance & supervision from expert mental health professionals of Karma Center for Counselling & Wellbeing with their digital detox program - “Shift Control” which follows all the appropriate social distancing measures & WHO safety guidelines. The program is focused on giving individuals an avenue to reconnect with the benefits of nature, tune out the digital noise & focus on mental, emotional & physical well-being amidst lush & luxurious villas and gentle guidance of highly qualified mental health professionals. You get the perfect blend of mental health and engaging in a plethora of sports and activities. You may want to opt-in with your family, friends, or even work colleagues or for corporate retreats as the program caters to different age groups ensuring a holistic experience. Having worked with various corporates for mental health & wellbeing interventions, KCCW found that individuals associated with corporates are highly susceptible to stress & anxiety-related concerns due to their high-pressured jobs & reported improvement in productivity, concentration, adequate work-life balance, emotional regulation & overall resilience on receiving eco-therapy interventions along with our other therapeutic approaches.

This location with its ecological and sustainable activities/practices like water harvesting, organic agro initiatives, solar energy utilisation, over a 100000 litres of recycled water for irrigation purpose, no honking (the guards respond to sight not sound), no plastic, eco-bricks, treetop development becomes a perfect amalgamation of nature & mental health needs. One could practice refreshing mindfulness walks, Art-therapy workshops, guided imagery, mindfulness relaxation or simple bird watching amidst this truly enriching environment promising to leave you rejuvenated. A few hacks into digital detoxification from our mental health experts: 1) Limit your screen time especially in the evenings as it prepares your brain for a good night’s sleep. 2) Reduce the brightness while using your phone or use the blue light filter. 3) Replace your habit of checking the phone when you wake up with any relaxation exercise like meditation or mindfulness body scan. 4) Restrict digital usage by setting aside time slots for replying to emails, messages or returning calls. 5) Set aside some part of the day when you refrain from using any screens & replace it with time in nature. Thus, ecotherapy, also known as nature therapy, acts as an easy, costeffective way of managing stress, anxiety, and depression. Now more than ever, there is a need to connect with our surroundings. Our environment is acting like an undiscovered holiday destination. This is a time to move to a new sense of consciousness.