EcoWellness: The Missing Factor in Holistic Wellness Models

Abstract

A growing body of multidisciplinary literature has delineated the benefits that natural environments have on physical and mental health. Current wellness models in counseling do not specifically address the impact of nature on wellness or how the natural world can be integrated into counseling. The concept of EcoWellness is presented as the missing link in wellness models and counseling. Integrating EcoWellness in counseling provides new and potentially powerful interventions to enhance wellness across the life span.

Design principles in housing for people with complex physical and cognitive disability: towards an integrated framework for practice

“…With so many therapeutic benefits to human-nature interactions, it seems clear that housing for people with complex disability ought to be constructed in a neighbourhood with well-maintained, appropriate vegetation. In sum, the natural environment has been shown to not only improve the wellness of individuals (McSweeney et al, 2015;Shanahan et al, 2015), but also enhance community connectedness if incorporated well (Reese and Myers, 2012).…”

“…In terms of the residential context and the natural environment, Kuo and Sullivan (2001b) suggest that contact with 'nearby nature' (i.e., natural public recreation spaces such as forests, community parks and duck ponds) is not only important to people but also reduces stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms, increases mood and emotional wellbeing, and provides the potential for individuals to engage in physical exercise (Jongeneel-Grimen et al, 2014;Reese and Myers, 2012). The location of the dwelling in terms of its distance (and subsequent ease of physical access) to public natural recreational spaces is therefore a necessary consideration in housing (re)development; especially given that people living nearer to natural settings are more likely to encompass greater wellbeing (Coutts, 2011;Reese and Myers, 2012).…”

“…The location of the dwelling in terms of its distance (and subsequent ease of physical access) to public natural recreational spaces is therefore a necessary consideration in housing (re)development; especially given that people living nearer to natural settings are more likely to encompass greater wellbeing (Coutts, 2011;Reese and Myers, 2012). However, the way in which the natural environment is presented within a neighbourhood must also be carefully considered.…”

“…For example, Kuo andSullivan (2001a, 2001b) and Reese and Myers (2012) contend that large shrubs, bushes, and dense woodlands may provide potential cover for criminal activities to take place. However, the same studies have also shown that it is not vegetation itself that promotes unsafe environments, but the type of vegetation used.…”

“…Natural areas that incorporate well-maintained grassy areas, widely spaced mature trees with high canopies, and flowers and low-growing plants for example, typically do not reduce visibility or provide potential cover for criminal activity. Rather, these vegetation types were shown to reduce fear of crime and crime occurrence, and instead promote therapeutic benefits such as decreased aggression and violence in individuals and increased civility and neighbourliness within communities (Kuo andSullivan, 2001a, 2001b;Reese and Myers, 2012). With so many therapeutic benefits to human-nature interactions, it seems clear that housing for people with complex disability ought to be constructed in a neighbourhood with well-maintained, appropriate vegetation.…”