Wilderness Therapy & Awe: Nature's Mental Health Benefits

How Wilderness Therapy Programs Improve Mental Health Through Awe

Wilderness therapy programs have emerged as powerful tools for addressing mental health challenges. These immersive experiences combine outdoor activities like backpacking and rock climbing with professional therapeutic support, helping participants build confidence and refocus their lives.

The Science Behind Nature's Healing Power

Research shows that exposure to green spaces offers significant benefits for:
- Mental health
- Emotional well-being
- Social relationships

But what exactly makes nature so therapeutic? A groundbreaking study led by Craig Anderson suggests awe may be the key factor.

Study Findings: Awe in Wilderness Therapy

Phase 1: River Rafting Experience

Researchers studied:
- Military veterans
- Underserved youth

Participants embarked on:
- 1-day or 4-day rafting trips
- Journeys through California's American River or Utah's Dinosaur National Monument

Key results:
- Significant well-being improvements
- Reduced stress levels
- Enhanced life satisfaction
- Youth showed particularly strong benefits

Daily diaries revealed that awe—more than other positive emotions—explained these improvements.

Phase 2: Everyday Nature Experiences

The second study examined:
- Undergraduate students' daily routines
- Two weeks of nature exposure tracking

Findings showed:
- Even brief nature contact increased life satisfaction
- Awe predicted well-being boosts better than other emotions
- More nature days = greater well-being improvements

Why Awe Matters for Mental Health

Anderson proposes two mechanisms:
1. "Small self" effect: Awe makes personal worries seem smaller
2. Perspective shift: Nature helps reframe challenges

Other potential benefits include:
- Physical exercise
- Social connection
- Gratitude cultivation

Practical Ways to Harness Nature's Benefits

You don't need extreme adventures to experience awe. Try:
- Watching sunsets
- Noticing blooming flowers
- Visiting local parks
- Taking mindful nature walks

The Bigger Picture

Anderson emphasizes:
- Protecting national parks as public health resources
- Making time for regular nature connection
- Slowing down to appreciate natural wonders

This research originally appeared in Greater Good, UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center publication.