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World Mental Health Day - Climate Change Impact: Nature Based Therapy is an answer to Planetary Health and Mental Wellbeing

Writer's picture: Diana ErwinDiana Erwin

Updated: Jan 19

World Mental Health Day - Climate Change Matters 


Mental health is essential to our overall well-being, yet today’s fast-paced, urbanized lifestyles often lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. A powerful remedy, often hidden in plain sight, is our connection to nature. Research reveals that spending time in nature can significantly reduce stress, lift mood, and improve cognitive function. Nature-based practices like forest therapy, eco-therapy, and outdoor mindfulness offer a path to healing, especially for those seeking holistic mental health support.


Nature-based services are available to help individuals reconnect with nature and find calm in their lives. These services allow you to slow down, embrace stillness, and regain a sense of peace and clarity through nature connection. But the benefits of nature aren’t just for individual well-being—they extend to our collective health as a community, tied deeply to the health of the planet.

climate change
flowers in sand

We are all connected together - combat eco-anxiety together


We are all interconnected with the natural world. As the health of the planet declines due to climate change, pollution, and deforestation, so does human well-being. When nature suffers, we suffer. This reality is often felt most acutely by minority communities, who are disproportionately impacted by climate change and environmental degradation. Studies have shown that communities of color are more likely to live in areas with higher pollution levels, suffer from the health impacts of poor air and water quality, and are more vulnerable to extreme weather events linked to climate change. As a result, the mental and physical health of these communities is at greater risk.


Eco-anxiety—the fear of environmental disaster—has become a growing mental health concern, particularly among young people and those in marginalized communities. When environmental stressors like extreme heat, floods, or pollution disproportionately affect minority populations, they face additional burdens on their mental health, exacerbating existing health disparities.


Recognizing that we are all connected, it becomes clear that caring for the environment and addressing climate justice are critical to safeguarding our mental and physical health. If nature is not doing well, we won’t be well. By deepening our relationship with nature, we not only heal ourselves but also cultivate a sense of stewardship that encourages us to protect the planet for future generations. This reciprocal relationship fosters resilience in both individuals and the environment.


Different culture - different relationship to nature


Globally, nature plays a central role in the mental, spiritual, and cultural health of many diverse communities, offering lessons for how we can rebuild our connection with the Earth. In Indigenous cultures, for example, nature is seen as a living entity, not something to be owned or exploited but rather respected and nurtured. The land itself is viewed as sacred, integral to communal well-being, and the idea of stewardship is deeply embedded in their cultural practices. This respect for the Earth teaches us how essential it is to live in harmony with the natural world, taking only what is needed and giving back to maintain balance.


Similarly, many African and Afro-Caribbean communities view nature as central to their spiritual practices, often through rituals involving water, forests, or sacred groves that are believed to hold ancestral wisdom. In these traditions, nature is a source of healing, wisdom, and community.


Meanwhile, in Eastern cultures, such as Japan, the practice of “Shinrin-yoku,” or forest bathing, emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of simply being in nature, reflecting a harmonious relationship with the environment.


Climate Change
Farmhouse in Switzerland

Farming in the Swiss mountains exemplifies a deep connection and respect for nature, where traditional practices emphasize sustainability and harmony with the land. Mountain farmers work with challenging terrains, using techniques passed down through generations, such as rotational grazing and natural fertilization, to preserve the delicate alpine ecosystems. These farms are vital for maintaining biodiversity and preventing soil erosion, promoting a balanced relationship between humans and the environment. However, in a profit-driven global economy, such sustainable practices come at a significant cost. Mountain farmers often face financial hardship, as industrialized agriculture, with its focus on mass production and profit margins, leaves little room for small-scale, eco-friendly farming. The higher costs of labor and lower yield in mountain farming make it difficult for these farmers to compete, threatening the survival of both their livelihoods and the sustainable practices that help protect the fragile mountain landscapes.


In many parts of the Western world, particularly within capitalist frameworks, this symbiotic relationship with nature has been largely neglected. The drive for profit has left behind sustainable practices in tourism, agriculture, and production. Industrial farming practices degrade the soil and lead to deforestation, while mass tourism often exploits natural landscapes without regard for conservation. Overproduction and overconsumption, hallmarks of a capitalist system, exhaust natural resources and contribute to the ecological crises we face today. This extraction-based relationship with nature stands in stark contrast to the sustainable and respectful approaches found in many Indigenous and traditional cultures.


In agriculture, for example, traditional methods like crop rotation, polyculture, and the use of natural fertilizers have been largely replaced by industrial farming, which prioritizes short-term profit over long-term sustainability. The result is environmental degradation that further impacts mental and physical health, especially in rural and farming communities. In tourism, sustainable practices that prioritize conservation and community involvement have often been cast aside in favor of large-scale developments that damage ecosystems and exploit local populations.


By learning from these diverse cultural perspectives and practices, we can find new ways to engage with nature that honor its intrinsic value rather than view it solely through an economic lens. Incorporating respect for nature and sustainable practices into our daily lives—whether through conscious consumer choices, supporting sustainable agriculture, or simply spending mindful time in nature—can help bridge the gap between individual well-being and planetary health.



Healing with nature


Planetary Health
Child on the beach

Nature-based therapy services offer a chance to not only restore your mind and spirit but also contribute to a healthier planet. By engaging in these practices, you can experience the healing power of nature while supporting the larger goal of environmental and social justice. As research confirms, access to green spaces and nature-based interventions helps reduce anxiety, depression, and eco-anxiety, while promoting a deeper sense of purpose and environmental responsibility.


If you’re seeking a transformative path to wellness, consider the nature-based services that not only help you heal but also support the interconnected well-being of our planet and all its inhabitants.


Planetary Health
Lauenen, Switzerland

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