Mia Soviero (04/21/26) Spiritual Experiences in Ecotherapy

 In “Spiritual Experiences in Ecotherapy: A Systematic Review” by Minwoo Kang and Terry Hanley, the authors explore how nature-based therapy can lead to emotional and spiritual growth. The article explains that spending time in natural environments can help individuals feel more connected, grounded, and reflective, often leading to a deeper sense of meaning. What stood out to me was how nature is not just beneficial physically, but also mentally and spiritually. The idea that nature can act as a form of therapy makes me think differently about how we treat natural spaces. Instead of seeing them as optional or recreational, they could be considered essential to well-being. But, if nature can play such a strong role in mental and spiritual health, should ecotherapy be more widely integrated into healthcare systems? This query connects to ideas we have discussed in class about human connection to the environment and how that connection can influence behavior. It also relates to mental health discussions in other classes, where finding healthy coping mechanisms is emphasized.

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