Common nature-based interventions

Nature-based interventions have been shown to increase general mental wellbeing


Social and therapeutic horticulture and horticulture therapy: This therapy uses gardening and plants to help individuals develop wellbeing, for example, through spending time in gardens, participating in gardening activities or growing food.

Care farming: Sometimes called social farming, care farming is defined as the therapeutic use of agricultural landscapes and farming practices to provide health, social or educational care.

This is done through a supervised structured programme of farming-related activities.

There are approximately 230 care farms in the UK and 25 in the Republic, many of which provide services for people experiencing mental health problems.

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Environmental conservation (as an intervention): Facilitated activities take place specifically designed both for conservation of natural places and for the health and wellbeing of participants.

Animal-assisted interventions: There are a variety of ways of using animals in rehabilitation or social care of humans, from feeding livestock and petting animals to equine-assisted therapy, pet therapy and dolphin therapy.

Green exercise: Engaging in physical activities such as walking while simultaneously being exposed to nature.

Wilderness therapy: Personal development and wellbeing opportunities provided through immersion in natural wilderness settings.