The impact of ecotherapeutic mental health interventions (forest therapy, therapeutic ornithology, and nature-based mindfulness) on stress reduction and mental wellbeing: a qualitative analysis

Abstract

Introduction and objective: Nature and mental health are in an important relationship, especially in the context of stress reduction. In the current times, when more than half of the human population lives in cities, where people are exposed to an excess of stimuli such as noise, light pollution, time pressure, and the fast pace of life, the relaxing potential of nature immersion seems to be an essential protective factor. Forest therapy and nature-based mindfulness are well-researched ecotherapeutic methods, and therapeutic ornithology is also recognised as a very popular and beneficial activity supporting mental wellbeing. However, only a limited number of studies have been carried out to explore the impact of combining these three different ecotherapeutic techniques. Materials and methods: During an ecotherapeutic programme for adults held in the Biebrza River Valley, Poland, in the spring of 2022, the above-mentioned nature-based interventions supporting mental wellbeing were performed. Twelve Polish volunteers participated in a three-day ecotherapeutic programme led by two psychiatrists and ecotherapists. Qualitative interviews were conducted and analysed using the interpretative phenomenological method. Results: The results indicated that forest therapy, nature-based mindfulness, and therapeutic ornithology worked differently, but they also shared many common features and could be an effective combination in coping with different types of stress and anxiety symptoms. They were also found to improve the general wellbeing at different levels and dimensions. Conclusions: The studied combination of ecotherapeutic techniques is worth considering both in personal self-care practice and in designing ecotherapeutic programmes for stress reduction an wellbeing improvement.