What is ecotherapy and why are stressed-out millennials and Gen Z-ers booking into nature-focused spas, resorts and therapy centres
Ecotherapy – improving your mental and physical well-being by connecting with nature – is a fast-growing wellness trend. For those leading too busy, plugged-in lives, logging off and finding peace is appealing. Stressed-out souls are increasingly booking in at spas, resorts and therapy centres that offer a break from city life.
While many can personally attest to the positive effects of communing with nature, medical science is now confirming that spending time outside not only boosts feelings of wellness but also has significant, wide-ranging and measurable health benefits.
A 2018 report by the UK’s University of East Anglia, which gathered data from more than 140 studies involving more than 290 million people in 20 countries, revealed that exposure to green spaces reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, stress and high blood pressure.
Hong Kong-based psychotherapist Astrid Merkt recounts a long list of mental and emotional benefits, including increased productivity, mental clarity and enhanced cognitive function; improved mood, emotional well-being and empathy; and higher satisfaction in life.
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“Spending time outdoors leads to improved cognitive function in children with ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder] and learning disabilities, while just 20 to 30 minutes of sitting or walking in the open air surrounded by the ocean or trees [strengthens the immune system], reduces stress hormones, and can help with depression and anxiety,” she says.
The Japanese have long been aware of the boons that nature bestows. Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, was developed in the 1980s when studies showed that walks in the forest could reduce blood pressure, lower cortisol levels and improve concentration and memory. Chemicals released by trees and plants, called phytoncides, were found to boost the immune system. The Japanese government went on to incorporate shinrin-yoku into the country’s health programme.
Resorts and hotels are quick to embrace ecotherapy, from design to spa treatments. The Datai Langkawi in Malaysia offers experiences like rainforest awakening morning walks, journeys through the forest and appreciation of the ocean with its resident naturalists and marine biologists.
Phuket’s luxury retreat, Sri Panwa, drew inspiration from the tranquil environment and sounds of the Andaman Sea – which the resort looks out to – in creating its Cool Spa, which is tucked away in the surrounding rainforest.
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Renowned interior designer Bill Bensley adopted a nature concept in his Shinta Mani Siem Reap villa collection in Cambodia by utilising a wealth of cascading greenery. Transformed into a heavenly oasis within the bustling Siem Reap, the hideaway also makes use of the healing power of traditional Khmer herbs for its spa therapies.
Others include Kapuhala Koh Samui in Thailand, which offers tropical farm and training retreats for fitness and relaxation in the island’s lush forests, and Amanemu in Japan, which recently launched its four-night forest bathing and onsen retreat.
Kapuhala specialises in outdoor wellness programmes that focus on the body and mind, including obstacle courses, morning and sunset yoga, health talks on mindful eating, meditation sessions and rituals that promote sleeping. Guests can opt to stay in tented villas amid the trees or in farmhouses with a stunning sea view.
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Aman Resorts’ Amanemu retreat involves guided walks on the five ancient pilgrimage routes of the Unesco World Heritage Kumano Kodo trails. Two nights are spent in a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn featuring rooms with tatami), while during the other nights, guests can indulge in onsen bathing, breathing practice, Zen meditation, shiatsu, acupuncture, moxibustion and aquatic body work.
“An appreciation of nature and its restorative qualities has inspired healing traditions and rituals all over the world for many years. More people are now attuning themselves to nature and allowing it to empower their physical and emotional well-being due to a growing global desire to switch off from the frenetic pace of everyday life,” says Yuki Kiyono, Aman’s group director of spa.
“The concept of wellness is transforming almost every aspect of travel, with individuals in constant search of the best ways in which not only to unwind but to take time for reflection and discover methods and lifestyle habits to cope with stress and burnout.”
While spas and resorts offer “huge benefits if you’re dealing with everyday stressors and don’t need professional help”, says Merkt, ecotherapy is also increasingly being used in clinical settings.
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Therapists can use ecotherapy in various ways, from simply having an office filled with green plants, the sounds of nature and natural light, to running a therapy session in a garden in which the patient is part of a gardening collective or farming initiative. Merkt holds 45-minute walk-talk therapy sessions in open spaces in Hong Kong.
“In walk-talk therapy, a client is taken out of the confined and institutionalised setting of a psychologist’s office. Being in a more relaxed setting allows the client to feel more at ease, and the walking boosts their mood and ability to think better and look at things through a different lens,” she says.
“If you want to truly see an impact therapeutically with ecotherapy, it’s best if a professional supports you in working through your challenges, trauma and other health issues. However, despite the Hong Kong stigma that if you seek professional help you must be crazy or having a breakdown, ecotherapy and other therapeutic activities such as yoga or meditation can be preventive, helping you to stay healthy so you never need professional help.”
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Kate Middleton popularised forest bathing – based on the Japanese practice known as shinrin-yoku – and holistic luxury resorts and hotels have been quick to embrace ecotherapy programmes like rainforest awakening walks and ocean appreciation