Role of Nature Therapy and Mindfulness for Resilience Among Rural Healthcare Providers

Abstract

The risk of burnout and compassion fatigue is high in healthcare providers in rural areas. When healthcare providers experience these symptoms, patient outcomes are negatively affected. This chapter explores the definitions and contexts of nature therapy, the healing environment, and the relationship between nature therapy, mindfulness, and resilience through a rural health perspective. The current evidence is discussed, and philosophical underpinnings and nursing theory are presented.

Nature therapy, for the purpose of this chapter, is synonymous with forest bathing. Forest bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku, is the practice of immersing oneself in nature using all five senses. The name may be new, but the practice is an ancient Japanese tradition. Forest bathing is considered a vital piece of healthy living in parts of Asia, and the growing body of evidence is finding significant, replicable health benefits, though more research is needed—particularly outside of Asia—to evaluate clinically significant outcomes. Physiological elements that have been found to benefit from forest bathing include cardiopulmonary improvements, increases in natural killer cells both short and extended term after nature immersion, and mental health benefits.

Mindfulness strategies are accessible and reproducible in the rural environment for healthcare providers. Current techniques and recommendations are discussed. Stephens defines resilience as an individual process of development that occurs through the use of personal protective factors to successfully navigate perceived stress and adversities. This resilience leads to improved coping and adaptive abilities as well as increased wellbeing. There is substantial evidence that has found resilience relates directly to positive outcomes in many populations. There are many studies linking stress resilience to psychological empowerment in some populations, with the implication that these are vital skills to teach.

In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrows. Nature says, -- he is my creature, and maugre all his impertinent griefs, he shall be glad with me.

―Ralph Waldo Emerson