What is Ecotherapy?
It is well known that the first and perhaps the major symptoms of stress or mental illness is the breakdown between a person and the people around them. The effect of this can be seen in the home and the work place leading to erratic behaviour, strained relationships and social isolation.
There is also an ecological element to this condition, we as humans suffer these problems because we have the ability to think and reason, therefore we may see ourselves as being apart and perhaps superior to the natural world. However, despite this air of superiority we still retain primal animal instincts that manifest themselves when we become mentally ill, are under stress or perceived threat. Some people advocate that ecotherapy is about mending this rift between people and the ecology in order to become whole, reconnect with the natural world around us, and put an end to a vicious circle of abuse through direct experience of wild nature. Incorporated within this theory is the awareness of current ecological issues and the sustainability of our life style with regard to the damage it does to planet Earth.
Ecotherapy and Colour Therapy
The basis for combining these two therapies is that we as highly evolved animals still respond to the colours in nature in an instinctive way the same as other species. Generally, this instinct is based upon the need to look and feel good in order to attract a mate, it also relates to sunlight to regulate our body clock.
Colour therapy addresses our primal needs and instincts that allow us to work in the environment that we have created. Once these needs have been met we as humans can move on to talk about these issues on the thinking and talking level of psychology and therapy in order to bring about a positive change in our lives and the world around us.
For example, simply getting out into green open spaces is for some people an achievement; the green grass will help calm frayed nerves and bring harmony with the people around you. The blue sky and natural sunlight will help suppress daytime production of melatonin and help you sleep at night; it has been proven that the exercise is also good for your mental welfare. Given this is an instinctive reaction all you have to do is get out of the house and look at it. More details on ecotherapy
