NATURE CONNECTION: WILDERNESS THERAPY ON YOUR DOORSTEP

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ACTIVITY: Eco Therapy / Nature therapy

LOCATION: Negotiable with participant, can be area of personal significance, garden, local park, national forest, coastline

AGE: 16 +

COST: €50 per hour, can be charged to your insurance company under the term Therapeutic Practice

We work with medical practitioners to coordinate courses that are designed to help participants recover from stress related illnesses by restoring links to the natural world that are hardwired into us from birth. The growing societal disconnect from nature robs us of the very environments that our bodies and brains evolved in. Relearning how to spend time in nature allows your brain time and space to restore mental fatigue and it also triggers chemical flows within your body that have significant positive hormonal effects. Our skilled guides use their experience to tailor activities to your specific needs. Discretion and privacy are guaranteed.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NATURE CONNECTION?

Connecting to the natural world brings us many physical, mental and social wellbeing benefits. For example spending time in nature:

-Improves mood and self esteem

-Reduces cortisol (the stress molecule) by up to 12%

-Restores attention, focus, perception and cognitive performance

-Enhances problem solving abilities and creativity

-Promotes serotonin (the happy molecule) production in the body

-Promotes oxytocin (the bonding molecule) production in the body

-Strengthens relatedness to community and habitat

-Enhances fitness, wellbeing and life satisfaction

-Elicits awe and spiritual sentiments

-Allows us time to recover from the intensity of modern living 

Unfortunately, many of us are unfamiliar with or feel uncomfortable in nature and this prevents us from enjoying these many benefits. Disconnection from nature can also contribute to lifestyles that are harmful to ourselves, our communities and our environment.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

Courses can be designed to last one hour or several depending on participants needs/wishes. Scientific research has proven the benefits of nature beyond question but now there is a gap in peoples understanding of how to engage with nature beyond an idea of leisure. Our guides teach nature literacy which is understanding and relearning the words and language of nature through activities such as sensory engagement, plant & mushroom identification, medicinal plants, natural navigation, silent sit spots, animal track & sign, bird language workshops, bushcraft skills, habitat ecology. All these activities are informal, relaxed and flexible and are tied into understanding the land upon which you walk and finding your place within it. At all stages participants choose the pace and level of challenge.

WHERE WILL I BE GOING?

Nature connection can be practiced in any accessible natural space. Activities will be based around relearning how to connect with a natural space whether its on your window sill, city park, forest or beyond. Participants are invited to suggest natural places of personal significance to them and also places they feel comfortable and at ease within. 

WHAT WILL I NEED?

All necessary equipment will be provided. Participants just need to wear clothes suitable for the outdoors and the current weather conditions. Non essentials can safely be left behind

WHAT DOES IT COST?

-Hourly rate €50 per hour

WHO ARE THE GUIDES:

Experienced wilderness guide Kristian de la Riva will lead your sessions. His outstanding knowledge of the natural world will help to find the perfect pitch for your nature connection experience. As an experienced coach, outdoor educator, wilderness guide he is fully qualified for these sessions.

TERMS & CONDITIONS AT BOTTOM OF CONTACT PAGE

For all bookings & enquiries please contact: europeanwalkingsafari@gmail.com