Ecotherapy is a branch of psychotherapy that focuses on the relationship between humans and nature, using connection with the natural environment to improve mental and emotional health. It can be a valuable addition to traditional therapies, helping people achieve inner balance and rediscover their natural healing resources It is a form of alternative therapy that involves activities in nature to promote mental health and emotional well-being. This can include various activities such as walks in the woods, gardening, animal therapy, but also psychotherapy, outdoor meditation or mindfulness. Ecotherapy is an effective and holistic method for improving mental health, by using nature as an ally in the process of healing and personal development.

Contact with nature has numerous demonstrated psychological benefits, being associated with improved well-being and mental health. Here are some of the most important:

1. Reducing stress and anxiety: Natural environments can induce a state of relaxation and reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) levels. Even brief moments in nature or looking at natural landscapes have a calming effect on the mind.
2. Improving mood: Nature stimulates the release of endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, contributing to a general state of well-being. This can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, providing a state of happiness and optimism.
3. Increasing attention and concentration: Spending time in nature can help improve your ability to focus and pay attention. Natural landscapes help reduce mental fatigue and restore focus, a phenomenon known as Restorative Attention.
4. Increased sense of connection and belonging: Nature fosters a sense of oneness and connection – both with the outside world and with oneself. This sense of connection can help increase self-esteem and empathy for others.
5. Support for trauma and social anxiety: Connecting with nature can help treat trauma and social anxiety by providing a safe and pressure-free environment. Nature can act as a non-judgmental space where people can feel free to express their emotions and explore their problems.
6. Enhancing creativity and problem solving: Time spent in nature can stimulate creativity, by reducing mental noise and providing a state of relaxation that facilitates access to new and original solutions.
7. Stimulating mindfulness: Nature is a natural setting for mindfulness practices, which involve anchoring in the present moment. Natural environments provide numerous stimuli for living consciously in the present, such as the sounds, smells, colors and sensations offered by the natural landscape.
8. Supporting emotional healing: Studies show that natural environments can be helpful in recovery from trauma and emotional loss. Nature can provide a safe and comforting setting for self-reflection and emotional healing.
9. Reduction of aggression and interpersonal tension: Time spent in nature can help reduce tension and irritability, promoting more positive emotional states and healthier interpersonal relationships.
10. Fostering a broader perspective on life: Connecting with nature often brings a sense of "vastness," which can help us perceive our problems in a more relaxed light, develop gratitude, and reconnect with core values.
11. Increasing discomfort tolerance: Contact with the natural elements (cold, heat, rain, etc.) can help us become more resistant to discomfort and better manage our frustrations. This can increase mental and emotional resilience.

All of these benefits suggest that incorporating nature into everyday life is essential for optimal mental health.

  Ecotherapy is an effective and holistic method for improving mental health, by using nature as an ally in the process of healing and personal development.