Nature Wellness

Nature therapy, sometimes referred to as ecotherapy, forest therapy, forest bathing, grounding, earthing, Shinrin-Yoku or Sami Lok, is a practice that describes a broad group of techniques using nature to improve mental or physical health.

Research shows that Nature Therapy and spending time in nature will have a positive impact on our mental and physical health. There is ample scientific evidence that points toward the positive effects of nature therapy on mental health such as reduced anxiety and depression and improved cognitive function. Studies have also shown that students who actively engage with nature have a better quality of life and lower stress levels.

The main objective of the UCI Nature Wellness project is to install “nature wellness stations” across the UCI campus to encourage mindful interactions with nature and to improve students’ mental health. These stations will support students’ use of several research-based strategies for effective nature therapy experiences. We will also utilize citizen science to qualitatively assess the impact of these stations on the students’ mental health. These stations could easily be incorporated in the many green spaces that we already have at UCI to allow our students to take full advantage of these spaces.

The Nature Wellness project is a collaborative effort between three UCI Schools: Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, and UCI Physical Planning and Nature Escape.

Enjoy the UCI Nature Wellness Stations and share your experiences with us!