Holistic Healing The Role Of Nature In Trauma And PTSD Rehab In Massachusetts
You might already be familiar with the serenity of sitting under the cool shade of a tree. Quietly feeling at peace watching the ocean lap the shore. Or even watching the birds chirping and playing around in the backyard. There’s plenty of calmness, stress stress-reducing, benefits of spending time outdoors. But is it really beneficial in trauma and PTSD rehab, as more than a few institutes in Massachusetts are offering?
In this article, we’ll be discussing how nature and ecotherapy play a role in trauma and PTSD rehab. We’ll also be looking into Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and its effectiveness in treating a variety of conditions.
Ecotherapy – What Can Be As Part Of Nature?
Ecotherapy, which is also known as nature therapy or green therapy, is viewed as the wellness of human beings as being connected to the natural environment (aka ecology). So, what can be considered as nature?
Of course, we know that nature can be anything green around us such as forests, parks, woodland, etc. It can also mean the beaches, wetlands, and even the mesmerizing views in the mountains.
However, nature also means the animals in your surroundings, including your pet dog or birds, fish, and cats.
It is underrated but your yard, trees on a city sidewalk, and a simple potted plant, that you take care of, are also considered as part of nature.
These, different parts of nature, introduce a variety to the types of Ecotherapy, which include:
- Grounding – for example, walking barefoot, is the practice of physically connecting with the Earth – also called earthing.
- Horticulture Therapy (HT) – has to do with taking care of plants for healing and rehabilitation.
- Exercising In Nature – outdoor runs or attending a yoga class in the park have countless benefits of their own.
There’s another type of ecotherapy known as Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT).
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)
In a study, published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, the effect of dogs resulted in an 82% reduction of PTSD symptoms. In a particular case, in the same study, interacting with a dog for as little as one week, enabled a patient to decrease anxiety as well as sleep medications by a whopping 50%.
So, to recount, AAT is a type of therapy that involves the use of animals to help people heal from a variety of conditions, including trauma and PTSD.
There are two main types of AAT:
Pet therapy:
This involves the use of companion animals, such as dogs, cats, or rabbits, to provide comfort and support. Pet therapy is helpful for people of all ages, and it is often used in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools.
Equine-assisted therapy (EAT):
This involves the use of horses to provide therapy. EAT can be helpful for people with a variety of mental health conditions, including trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. It can also be helpful for people with physical disabilities, and it is often used to improve motor skills and balance.
Benefits Of AAT
There are plenty of research-backed benefits of AAT in its effectiveness in treating a variety of conditions, including:
- Trauma And PTSD: AAT can help people feel safe and supported, and it can provide them with a sense of control.
- Anxiety And Depression: AAT can help to reduce anxiety and depression by providing companionship and reducing stress.
- Pain: AAT can help people to cope with pain by providing distraction and comfort.
- Social Skills And Self-Esteem: AAT can help people improve their social skills and self-esteem by providing them with opportunities to interact with others.
- Motor Skills And Balance: EAT can help people improve their motor skills and balance by providing them with opportunities to practice movement and coordination.
Final Thoughts
Going into the green provides a natural rehab to a variety of physical as well as psychological ailments including Trauma and PTSD, which is the ideology behind facilities in Massachusetts.
This philosophy works perfectly well as it helps to avoid putting medicines and antibiotics into the body. Thereby, boosting the natural immune system and providing holistic wellbeing.
If you are looking for a trauma and PTSD rehab in Massachusetts, reach out to Resilience Behavioral Health. They can help you find suitable top-quality care near you and within budget. Call 888.401.1179 or visit Resilience Behavioral Health to learn more.
